Indians Ambush Volquez and the Reds 12-4

It was over quickly.

Edinson Volquez again was roughed up in the first inning but the Reds defense, normally airtight, contributed to the onslaught.

Joey Votto hit his first home run since April 27 off young Carlos Carrasco in the first inning.  To put the home run drought in perspective, the struggling, Jonny Gomes has hit one since Votto hit his last one.

Volquez didn't take long to give the run back, plus one.

Michael Brantley topped the ball high off the plate for an infield hit.  Adrubal Cabrera hit the first of his two home runs.  Cabrera went 5-for-5 with five RBI.

By Jerry Dowling

Shin-Soo Choo followed with a double high off the left field wall.  Volquez walked yesterday's hero Travis Buck walked one out later as Choo moved to third..  The Reds played like the Chicago Cubs did in Cincinnati this past week.  Buck took off for second on a steal attempt.  Normally reliable, Ramon Hernandez, threw high to second.  Brandon Phillips leaped to catch the throw as Buck headed back to first.  Phillips ran Buck down and thought he made the tag but Phil Cuzzi disagreed.  Phillips threw home as Choo started down the line.  Hernandez made his second bad throw on the play and thirdbaseman Scott Rolen had no chance.  The ball went all the way down the left field line to the corner.  Choo and Buck scored.

That four-run inning set the tone.

The Indians battered Volquez in the next two innings, adding three more runs to end the day for Volquez.

The Reds fought back.  Jay Bruce hit his 11th home run in the fourth.  Chris Heisey and Votto hit back-to-back doubles in the sixth.  Phillips ground out scored Votto from third and the Reds cut the lead to 7-4.

Sam LeCure held the line for three innings until Asdrubal Cabrera hit his second home run.

Jordan Smith, who has been used more than the Reds would like this season, gave up four runs to provide the final margin.  Smith has been used too early and too often when starters have come up with short outings.

The Reds have dropped five in a row since winning five in a row.

The Indians have the best record in baseball, an unexpected development.  They have earned by getting good starting pitching and good work from the bullpen.  None of their hitters are tearing the cover off the ball but they get timely hits.

The Indians hold a 37-35 advantage in the Ohio Cup series since inter league play started in 1997.