Indians, Pirates earn victories on the road

Associated Press

DETROIT

Ubaldo Jimenez had walked more hitters than anybody in baseball this year, and it’s fair to say he’d been a bit of a bust since coming over to Cleveland in a big trade last season.

“He’s better than that,” manager Manny Acta said Tuesday night. “Today was a step in the right direction.”

Jimenez walked only one hitter, pitching impressively into the seventh inning, and the Indians hit three run-scoring triples off rookie Drew Smyly in a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Jimenez (6-4) allowed a run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out four. The right-hander entered the game with 42 walks in 56 innings this year, but he didn’t issue a base on balls until his final hitter in the seventh.

“That’s a surprise,” he said. “With an outing like this, I just want to keep it going.”

Three relievers finished for Cleveland. Chris Perez allowed a run in the ninth but held on for his 18th save in 19 chances.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Lou Marson and Michael Brantley each hit RBI triples for Cleveland, which became the third team this season to hit three triples in a game.

Pirates 8, Reds 4

CINCINNATI

Clint Barmes had three hits and drove in three runs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates extended their home-run tear by hitting three more.

Neil Walker hit a two-run homer, and Casey McGehee and Alex Presley had solo shots, giving the Pirates seven homers in their last two games.

A.J. Burnett (5-2) won his fourth straight start.

The Pirates have won eight of their last 10 games overall, moving two games behind first-place Cincinnati in the NL Central.