Reds 7, Indians 5: Cincinnati avoids sweep; Acta pleased with 4-2 week

Al Behrman/Associated Press Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall makes an error on a ground ball hit by the Reds’ Brandon Phillips in the first inning Sunday in Cincinnati. The Reds won, 7-5.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Indians finished interleague play thinking: Not bad at all.

Edgar Renteria hit his first homer since his World Series MVP performance, helping the Cincinnati Reds break out of their offensive slump and beat the Indians, 7-5, on Sunday, their only win of the season against their intrastate rival.

The Indians took five of six in the series, matching its best result. The Reds also went 5-1 in 2008.

After getting swept in San Francisco, the Indians won four of six in Arizona and Cincinnati to retake first place in the AL Central.

“I’m just glad the road trip is over,” Manager Manny Acta said. “I’m happy with the results. I’m extremely happy with the way we bounced back in Arizona and here, especially without having (DH Travis) Hafner.”

The problem on Sunday was another erratic start by Mitch Talbot.

Chris Heisey also homered off Talbot (2-5), who has struggled with consistency since returning from a sore elbow. The Reds piled up six runs and 10 hits in his four innings.

“I’m trying to figure out what’s the difference between my good starts and my bad starts,” Talbot said. “I don’t know what to do right now.”

Mike Leake (8-4) became the Reds’ first eight-game winner, matching his career high with eight strikeouts in six innings. Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 19 chances.

Five players learned before the game that they’ll be headed to Arizona for the All-Star game next week — the Tribe’s Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez, and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce. Instead of the stars, the reserves rallied Cincinnati to its breakthrough win.

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