Reds’ Bailey beats Indians 7-3 for his first win in nearly two years

Reds’ Bailey beats Indians 7-3

CLEVELAND — Homer Bailey pitched five innings for his first major league win in nearly two years and Jay Bruce hit his 18th home run for Cincinnati to help the Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 7-3 Saturday.

Bailey (1-0) was recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day to make his second start of the year and won for the first time since Sept. 20, 2007 against the Chicago Cubs.

He labored through five innings, giving up three runs on three hits and seven walks, giving him 13 in 9 1-3 innings this year. Bailey’s first start this season was also against the Indians.

This one went better. In the first one, he didn’t get a decision, but allowed six runs in 4 1-3 innings in a 7-6 loss on May 23.

Indians starter Tomo Ohka (0-2) needed 27 pitches to record an out in the second inning. By then, the Reds had a 4-0 lead on Bruce’s solo homer, RBI doubles by Chris Dickerson and Jerry Hairston and a groundout from Joey Votto.

Those three, Cincinnati’s first three batters, went a combined 7 for 15. Laynce Nix doubled twice and scored twice for the Reds.

Ohka, who also hasn’t won since 2007, was making his third start for Cleveland. He has allowed 10 runs in his last two outings.

Cleveland had runners in four of the five innings against Bailey, but Grady Sizemore’s two-run single in the fourth was the only real damage. The Indians stranded seven runners through the first four innings.

Sizemore has eight RBIs in four games since coming off the disabled list on Tuesday. He has driven in at least one run in all four games, but the Indians have still lost nine of their last 11.

Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips was hit by a pitch in the first inning, but plate umpire and crew chief Tim McClelland refused to award him first base after it appeared Phillips intentionally stuck his elbow in front of the pitch. Reds manager Dusty Baker argued briefly before Phillips walked on the next pitch.

Notes: Cleveland reliever Jose Veras pitched a perfect ninth after being added to the roster earlier in the day. The Indians optioned reliever Jensen Lewis to Triple-A Columbus … Rafael Betancourt threw 45 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game on Monday … To make room for Bailey on the roster, the Reds optioned INF Adam Rosales to Triple-A Louisville.