CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez hit a two-run homer and an RBI triple, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 9-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Wilson Ramos also hit a two-run homer, Amed Rosario was 4 for 5 with an RBI and Cleveland used five pitchers in a planned bullpen game to end Cincinnati’s five-game winning streak.
Matt Garza (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings. The right-hander was the Indians’ second pitcher and worked the third and fourth, striking out three.
Luis Castillo (6-11) allowed eight runs — including two homers — in 3 1/3 innings. The right-hander lost for the first time since June 20, a span of nine starts.
Bradley Zimmer hit a 471-foot homer to center field leading off the seventh — the longest by an Indians player this season — and drove in two runs.
The game was the makeup of a rainout at Progressive Field on May 9, a series that began with Reds left-hander Wade Miley pitching a no-hitter. The teams split their six interleague games this season, so Cleveland retained the Ohio Cup for the seventh straight year.
The game was played in a steady rain for several innings.
Ramos’ two-run homer in the second broke a 1-all tie and was the backup catcher’s second since being called up Friday. Ramos was signed to a minor league contract last month after being released by Detroit.
Ramírez’s third-inning triple gave Cleveland a 4-1 lead. His 25th home run in the fourth that curled inside the foul pole pushed the lead to 8-1.
Rosario led off the third with an infield hit and Ramirez followed with a drive to right-center. Aristides Aquino crashed into the wall trying for a leaping catch. Right fielder Nick Castellanos backed up the play but slipped on the wet grass as Rosario scored and Ramírez raced to third.
Both teams scored in the first. Joey Votto’s RBI single gave Cincinnati the lead against starter Sam Hentges. Franmil Reyes’ run-scoring fielder’s choice tied the game.
Castillo fell to 0-3 lifetime against the Indians. The right-hander was charged with six runs in four innings during a 9-2 loss at Progressive Field on May 8.
TRAVEL PLANS
The Reds, who completed a homestand Sunday, chose to fly to Cleveland Monday afternoon and then board a flight to Atlanta following the game.
“The reason we did it is we didn’t want to settle in and get unpacked, pack up again and spend one night in a hotel,” manager David Bell said. “So we can pack our bags one time, play the game and end up in Atlanta tonight.”
The Reds open a three-game series against the Braves on Tuesday night.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: 1B Bobby Bradley (strained left knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list before the game. He was hurt sliding into home plate Friday.
UP NEXT
Reds: RHP Sonny Gray (4-4) starts against Atlanta on Tuesday.
Indians: RHP Triston McKenzie (1-5) will pitch the opener of a three-game home series against Oakland on Tuesday.
