CORRECTS ADSRUBAL CABRERA TO RIGHT, NOT LEFT – Cleveland Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera, right, is congratulated by Orlando Cabrera hitting a two-run home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo in the third inning of an interleague baseball game on Friday, July 1, 2011, in Cincinnati. Orlando scored on the home run. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

CINCINNATI — Bronson Arroyo’s unusual season keeps taking strange turns.

Arroyo gave up three more homers, the first by Grady Sizemore, and the Indians remained perfect against their intrastate rival, beating Cincinnati, 8-2, on Friday night.

Cleveland is 4-0 against Cincinnati, which has struggled mightily against the American League. The defending NL Central champs are 5-11 in interleague play and have lost their season series to Cleveland for the first time since 2005.

“We took the series, and hopefully we can take a few more games,” Indians starter Justin Masterson said.

Arroyo (7-7) can’t keep the ball from landing in the stands lately. He gave up four homers — tying his career high — in a 10-5 victory in Baltimore on Saturday.

The Indians kept the trend going. Arroyo has allowed 24 homers this season, the most in the NL.

“There are so many variables in this game, but it’s definitely been a strange year in terms of going out and having consistent stuff,” said Arroyo, who came down with mononucleosis during spring training.

Masterson (6-6) went eight innings for his first win since April 26. He allowed four hits, including the first of Brandon Phillips’ two solo homers.

Sizemore hit his first homer since June 8 to start the early Indians rally. Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana also connected, giving Masterson room to maneuver. Cleveland had scored only 22 runs in his last 11 starts, getting shut out four times.

The Indians swept Cincinnati in Cleveland from May 20-22, when they were at the peak of their startlingly strong start.

Similar Posts:

• Indians 6, Diamondbacks 2: Carrasco tosses another gem
• Reds 7, Indians 5: Cincinnati avoids sweep; Acta pleased with 4-2 week
• White Sox 4, Indians 2: Tribe commits three errors in loss
• Rays 5, Indians 0: Price too much for Indians
• Indians 5, Diamondbacks 4: Late-night Cab ride lifts Tribe