Reds' bench candidates key in win over Tribe
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GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians ace Corey Kluber continued his march toward Opening Day with five solid innings, but the Reds poured on the runs late to claim a 7-3 Cactus League win on Friday night at Goodyear Ballpark.
Kluber, who in all likelihood will be named Cleveland's Opening Day starter for the third year in a row, allowed two runs on three hits, ending with six strikeouts and two walks. Both runs against the righty came in the first, when Billy Hamilton walked and stole a pair of bases, and Eugenio Suárez and Scott Schebler each chipped in an RBI hit.
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"We're at the point now where, obviously you're starting to get your work in," Kluber said, "but you get into that competitive mode of going out and trying to get guys out. I was just trying to work into that mind frame, competing more so than working on stuff. The first inning, I was a little too fine, but I kind of corrected it, so I was able to get through that and make the adjustment."
After Kluber's exit, the Reds enjoyed a five-run seventh inning against Indians bullpen candidate Josh Martin. Within that flurry, Cincinnati bench candidates Desmond Jennings (RBI triple), Hernan Iribarren (sac fly), Ryan Raburn (single) and Patrick Kivlehan (double) all contributed. Chad Wallach (two-run double) and Sebastian Elizalde (RBI double) also came through for the Reds.
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Cincinnati lefty Brandon Finnegan -- a candidate to start Opening Day, along with Scott Feldman -- was charged with three runs on six hits in four innings, in which he had five strikeouts and three walks. Indians catcher Yan Gomes collected an RBI double off Finnegan in the first and later scored on a single by Yandy Díaz. Indians outfielder Austin Jackson added an RBI single in the fourth.
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"He was OK. He wasn't great," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Finnegan. "He wasn't real sharp with anything. He gets hurt when he gets behind in the count. The more he works ahead, the more efficient his game went."
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Reds Up Next:Bronson Arroyo will make his second Cactus League start when the Reds host the Rangers at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday in Goodyear. Arroyo worked two scoreless innings Sunday vs. the Brewers. Also back in the lineup as his catcher will be Devin Mesoraco.
Indians Up Next: Lefty Shawn Morimando, who is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Columbus rotation, is scheduled to start for the Tribe in a 4:05 p.m. ET Cactus League tilt against the Royals on Saturday in Surprise, Ariz. In a 3:05 p.m. ET game against Texas at the Alamodome, right-hander Mike Clevinger will toe the rubber for Cleveland. Watch live on MLB.TV.
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