Reds use ninth-inning rally to beat Indians
May 24, 2017
CLEVELAND -- Zack Cozart's two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning, after a video review overturned what initially appeared to be a game-ending double play, lifted the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
Cozart's hit came off Cleveland closer Cody Allen (0-2), who was 13-for-13 in save opportunities this year, and 22-for-22 going back to last year.
The win went to Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen (3-0), who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth to pick up his eighth save.
With the Reds trailing 3-2, Scooter Gennett led off the top of the ninth with a single, and he went to second on a single by Tucker Barnhart, who was replaced by pinch runner Arismendy Alcantara. Jose Peraza attempted a sacrifice bunt, but first baseman Carlos Santana fielded it and threw to third for the force out on Gennett, the first out of the inning.
Hamilton then hit a chopper to Santana at first. Santana threw to second for the force out on Peraza. Francisco Lindor threw back to first and umpire Tim Timmons ruled Hamilton out on what would have been a game-ending double play.
But Reds manager Bryan Price challenged the call and after a video review, Hamilton was ruled safe.
With Hamilton running on the pitch, Cozart then lined a single to left field, scoring Alcantara and Hamilton, giving Cincinnati a 4-3 lead.
Santana provided most of Cleveland's offense, going 3-for-4, with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs.
With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Jason Kipnis led off with a double. A sacrifice bunt by Lindor moved Kipnis to third. Michael Brantley flied out to right for the second out, but Santana hit a line drive off the right field wall for a double, scoring Kipnis and giving the Indians a 3-2 lead.
But Cleveland's vaunted bullpen was unable to protect the lead.
Cleveland threatened to score in the first inning, when Lisalverto Bonilla gave up two walks and a double to load the bases with two outs. But Bonilla retired Jose Ramirez on a fly ball to end the inning.
The Indians took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third. With one out, Brantley reached on an infield single, and Santana hit the first pitch Bonilla threw him over the wall in right field for his fifth home run, giving Cleveland a 2-0 lead.
That lead lasted two batters.
Joey Votto led off the top of the fourth inning with a single to right field. Adam Duvall then blasted a 1-0 pitch well over the wall in center field, for a two-run homer, his 10th. The drive was estimated at 432 feet, tying the game at 2-2.
Cincinnati threatened to take the lead in the fifth inning. Barnhart led off the inning by reaching first base on an error by first baseman Santana, who was handcuffed by Barnhart's ground ball.
Peraza followed with a single, moving Barnhart to second. A sacrifice bunt by Hamilton put runners at second and third with one out. Cozart coaxed a four-pitch walk from Trevor Bauer, loading the bases for Votto.
But Votto, hitting .389 with runners in scoring position, struck out, and Bauer retired Duvall on a fly ball to end the inning.
NOTES: The game was interrupted in the top of the sixth inning by a two-hour, one-minute rain delay. . . Indians RHP Corey Kluber (strained lower back) will throw about 75 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus Thursday, after which Indians officials will meet to decide whether Kluber will be activated off the disabled list or will need another rehab start. . . OF Austin Jackson (hyperextended left big toe) is expected to be activated off the disabled list on Friday. . . Indians OF Lonnie Chisenhall was a late scratch from the starting lineup. He was being evaluated for a possible head injury. . . OF Brad Duvall's home run in the fourth inning was his 10th of the season. The Reds are the only team in the majors with four players with 10 or more home runs. The other Reds players in double figures in homers are OF Scott Schebler (13), 1B Joey Votto (12), and 3B Eugenio Suarez, (10). . . RHP Tim Adleman, who will start Thursday for the Reds, has a 7.56 ERA and a .304 opponents' batting average in four May starts.