Reds beat Tribe 1-0 in 12 innings
Alex Gonzalez singled home the winning run to break the deadlock.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Alex Gonzalez took advantage of his second chance to be a hero in extra innings.
A day after he failed to break an extra-inning tie, Gonzalez hit a run-scoring single in the 12th to give the Cincinnati Reds a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Indians Sunday.
“Today I got the opportunity again and made it,” Gonzalez said.
The teams played 23 innings in fewer than 24 hours.
The Indians won 8-6 in 11 innings Saturday night, and in that game, Gonzalez was robbed of his chance to break a 6-6 tie in the 10th. Indians outfielder Franklin Gutierrez crashed the right field wall to snare Gonzalez’s deep fly ball that could have won the game.
Pitching duel
Sunday, Reds starter Aaron Harang held the Indians in check for seven innings, and the highly suspect Reds bullpen had one of its best outings as five relievers kept Cleveland scoreless the rest of the way.
Cleveland’s C.C. Sabathia, bidding to become the majors’ first 10-game winner, stifled the Reds through nine innings on three hits and one walk. He struck out six.
A defensive play by Josh Hamilton saved the game for the Reds. Pinch runner Jason Michaels had gone to third on a passed ball, but Gutierrez flied to center and Hamilton threw out Michaels trying to score.
“You try to be even-keeled, but I was backing up home plate when he threw that guy out, and I was shouting and pumping my fist,” winning pitcher Marcus McBeth said. “Right man, right spot, right time.”
Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said it was a situation where Michaels had to be sent home.
“He [Gutierrez] didn’t hit it well, but you hope for a bad throw,” Wedge said. “When you play that long, you have to try.”
Game-winning rally
Pinch hitter Chad Moeller started the 10th-inning rally with a one-out double, and Edwin Encarnacion was walked intentionally. Josh Hamilton filed out, and Gonzalez singled up the middle, driving in Moeller.
He broke an 0-for-13 slump an inning earlier.
Although Gonzalez singled off Matt Miller, the run was charged to Aaron Fultz (3-1). It was his first loss since Aug. 31, at Washington, a span of 37 appearances.
“Without a doubt, it was our worst offensive performance-slash-effort of the year,” Wedge said. “When you have the right approach, at least you have a chance. I didn’t see that one time today.
“Our offense is better than this. You can get by with one guy not having a good approach, but not the whole team.”
Sabathia, coming off his fifth career shutout, allowed just two hits — doubles to Encarnacion and Adam Dunn — through eight innings. Both were stranded at second.
“It was a tough loss,” Sabathia said. “It’s disappointing that we lost. That’s more important than my own personal numbers.”