Buck rocks Reds with homer

Photo by: Amy Sancetta

AP

Photo

Cleveland Indians' Michael Brantley, right, is forced out at first by Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey, left, after hitting a hard ground ball to Reds first baseman Joey Votto in the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

Photo by: Amy Sancetta

AP

Photo

Cleveland Indians center fielder Ezequiel Carrera catches a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto for an out in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Indians have never considered their terrific start a surprise.

But with each dramatic victory, their fans begin to believe and even expect late-inning comebacks. Just like the one the Indians had Saturday.

Travis Buck hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning to give Josh Tomlin and the Indians a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

“The atmosphere truly was amazing,” Tomlin said. “It gave you an adrenaline rush.”

Buck connected with two outs against Homer Bailey (3-1), who took a one-hitter into the seventh.

“Homer was dealing,” Buck said. “He didn’t give us many pitches to hit. He just left one a little out over the plate.”

Buck’s first homer in an Indians uniform sent a sellout crowd of 40,631 into a frenzy as Cleveland improved baseball’s best record to 28-15 — including 17-4 at Progressive Field.

“It’s amazing the energy you get in this stadium,” manager Manny Acta said. “Obviously, we love it.”

Tomlin (6-1) gave up one run and three hits over seven innings. Rookie Vinnie Pestano worked the eighth and Chris Perez the ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances.

“It’s the biggest crowd I’ve pitched in front of and I could feel my heart beat,” Pestano said. “I love it. The Tribe at home, late. Seven, eight, nine [innings], we score, so hang in there because it’s a lot of fun.”

Not for the Reds, who dropped their fourth straight, matching their longest losing streak of the season.

“We got a great-pitched game and didn’t have a ton of opportunities, but didn’t capitalize on the few that we had,” Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. “The difference was that one pitch. That’s just tough, a tough way to lose.”

For the first time in their last seven home triumphs, the Indians didn’t wait until their last at-bat to win it.

Still, the crowd was nervous when Cleveland fell behind in the top of the seventh, 1-0. The Indians, with top hitters Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner on the disabled list, had not displayed a hint of offense.

Then, Asdrubal Cabrera opened the bottom half by grounding a single between first and second. Bailey got two quick outs before Buck, serving as the DH in place of Hafner, drove the first pitch from the right-hander over the wall in right-center for a 2-1 lead.

“We continue to find a new hero on a daily basis,” Acta said after Buck delivered in only his 12th start for Cleveland.

Signed to a minor-league contract in December, Buck won a roster spot on opening day, but was sent to Triple-A Columbus in mid-April when Sizemore came off the DL. He was recalled May 16 after Sizemore got hurt again.

“The way they have stuck with me means a lot,” Buck said. “They believe in me and it helps.”