Lee Handed First Loss, As Reds Sweep Tribe

Score: Reds 6 Indians 4


Turning Point: With one man on and two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Joey Votto hit a pinch hit home run that drove in two, and gave the Reds the six runs they would need for the victory.


Analysis: It was bound to happen. Cliff Lee pitched alright but he had trouble finishing an inning. He gave up six runs, five of which were earned, on ten hits, and he struck out only two batters. The Indians did what they could against Edinson Volquez, getting two runs. They rallied in the seventh to score two runs, but the Reds bullpen has been great this series. In what was a piece meal lineup, the offense wasn’t stellar though. In what seems to be the theme on the season, the Indians squandered early opportunities that may have gotten them rolling and chased Volquez from the game. But as this run drought continues, the big hit continues to elude the Indians. The Reds pitching staff fanned eight Tribe batters this afternoon.


MVP: Michael Aubrey
It was slim pickings for MVP today, but it will go to the newest call up for the Indians. Michael Aubrey got his first MLB hit and it came in the form of the home run. Aubrey was 1-4 today with that solo shot.


Extras:

- Asdrubal Cabrera’s stolen base in the top of the fourth this afternoon was the first of his major league career.

- April may have been kind to David Dellucci at the plate. But May is a different story. In the month of May, Dellucci is 7-47 and only five RBIs. If you are keeping track that is a .148 average and a RBI every 9.4 at bats.

- The Indians hitters struck out a combined twenty seven times of the three game series by the Reds.


Next Up: After an off day tomorrow, the Indians travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago White Sox. This is the first time these teams have met since the opening series of this season. The Indians will send the big man, C.C. Sabathia, to the mound. Sabathia made his contribution to the string of shutout innings last week, when he pitched a complete game shutout against Toronto. C.C. gave up only five hits and struck out eleven batters. Sabathia is 3-5 with a 5.47 ERA. The White Sox will pitch Jose Contreras. Contreras has had two lights out performances in his last two starts. Contreras went seven innings in both game, and he only gave up a run in both. He is 4-3 with a 3.35 ERA. First pitch will be at 8:11 PM from U.S. Cellular Field.