Indians wallop Reds

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Indians finally had a breather Monday night, thanks to season highs in runs and hits.

Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had four RBIs, and the Indians rallied from an early four-run deficit to beat the Cincinnati Reds 15-6.

Cleveland played 13 one-run games and had 11 decided in the seventh inning or later going into Monday.

“We could always use those kinds of games,” Indians manager Terry Francona said after his team had multiple big innings and erased a 4-0 deficit. “We did a real good job tonight. Kind of picking up. Not an easy way to win.”

Cincinnati scored four times in the first three innings, but Cleveland tied it with a four-run third, added three in the fourth and removed any doubt with a five-run sixth that also featured Marlon Byrd’s two-run homer.

Gomes, who came into the game batting .167, was 2 for 4 and had a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

“We needed that,” Gomes said of the offensive eruption. “We had a nice little back and forth. To extend the lead calmed us down a little bit.”

Francisco Lindor, who was 3 for 5, Jason Kipnis and Mike Napoli all had two RBIs for the Indians, who had 19 hits.

Kipnis’ two-run single broke a 4-all tie and helped the Indians take a three-run lead in the fourth. The Reds cut the lead to one in the fifth, but Gomes, homering for the third straight game, and Byrd, who had three hits, unloaded off Layne Somsen.

Tommy Hunter (1-1) pitched 12/3 innings for the win.

John Lamb (0-1) couldn’t hold the early lead. The left-hander allowed seven runs in four innings.

Gomes, who also homered Friday and Saturday, believes he’s ready to come out of his early season struggles.

“I’m hitting the ball hard, I guess,” he said. “I know I can hit. It’s just been one of those things where my confidence has gotten a hold of me. It gets frustrating.”

Brandon Phillips’ RBI double, and home runs by Adam Duvall and Eugenio Suarez gave Cincinnati a 4-0 lead.

Lindor’s two-run double, along with RBI singles by Napoli and Rajai Davis, tied it in the third.

Jose Ramirez doubled to lead off and Davis drew a two-out walk in the fourth. Kipnis’ line drive fell in center field to easily score Ramirez. Davis was originally called out by plate umpire Paul Emmel, but the call was overturned after a replay review.

Davis had two hits, breaking an 0-for-19 skid, and walked twice.