CINCINNATI — Six pitches into the game, Corey Kluber had a three-run lead. That’s more runs than the Indians usually score in an entire game when the AL’s Cy Young winner is on the mound.
Right away, they knew they were onto something good.
Michael Brantley, Brandon Moss and Yan Gomes homered — part of a rare Cleveland splurge with Kluber on the mound — and the Indians ended their long losing streak in Cincinnati by beating the Reds 9-4 on Saturday night.
"Awesome," said Kluber (5-10), who has double-digit losses because of the lack of help from the offence. "I’d say it was kind of a sloppy outing today. I didn’t pitch great, but I had that cushion and I was able to get away with some stuff."
The Indians had dropped nine straight at Great American Ball Park, their longest losing streak anywhere in the majors. Their last victory at Great American was 3-1 on July 2, 2011, when Brantley hit a three-run homer off Homer Bailey.
Brantley connected in the first inning off Anthony DeSclafani (5-7), giving Kluber an uncharacteristic cushion. Cleveland had scored an average of only 2.3 runs in his starts, the fewest for any pitcher in the majors.
In the two games after the All-Star break, Brantley has a pair of doubles and a homer. He connected on DeSclafani’s sixth pitch of the game.
"He’s such a smart hitter," manager Terry Francona said. "He looks like the four days off were really good for him, and we need it."
Kluber allowed seven hits — three each by Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips — in 7 2/3 innings. Cody Allen relieved and gave up Jay Bruce’s three-run homer.
It wound up as Cleveland’s highest-scoring game since a 12-3 win over Texas on May 27. The three homers matched the Indians’ season high. Six of their 11 hits went for extra bases.
Moss snapped an 0-for-21 slump with a two-run homer in the third inning for a 6-1 lead, already the most runs Cleveland had scored with Kluber on the mound this season. The Indians have been held to two runs or less in 14 of his 20 starts.
"It feels good just to be on base," Moss said. "I’ve been in a really bad stretch. You hit the panic button, try to force things.
"You get caught in a funk and once that starts, it’s hard to get out of it."
It was the first time that DeSclafani gave up two homers in a game during his career. The rookie lasted five innings, allowing eight hits and six runs.
Gomes completed Cleveland’s big game with a three-run homer in the seventh off Nate Adcock.
THAT OTHER LEAGUE
The Indians are 8-6 in interleague play this season. The Reds are 6-10.
STREAKS AND SUCH
Michael Bourn’s infield single in the second inning ended his 0-for-15 slump. He was 1 for 4. … Gomes’ homer was his fourth of the season and his first since June 29.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: LHP Nick Hagadone hasn’t yet scheduled an appointment with Dr. James Andrews to examine his pitching elbow. Hagadone hurt his left elbow while pitching in a rehab game on Wednesday. … 3B Giovanny Urshela was hit on the left forearm by one of Adcock’s pitches in the sixth, but stayed in the game.
Reds: LHP Tony Cingrani threw 93 pitches in his rehab start on Friday night. Cingrani, who has been bothered by a strained shoulder, could move into the rotation next week.
UP NEXT
Indians: Carlos Carrasco is making his second start of the season against Cincinnati. He allowed two runs in six innings of a 7-3 win in Cleveland on May 22.
Reds: Johnny Cueto is 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six starts against Cleveland, with the Reds winning all six games. Cueto is 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA in eight starts since being sidelined by an inflamed right elbow in late May.
