Harang, Freel Lead Reds Over Indians

Jake Westbrook summed up the Indians' 3-0 loss to Cincinnati on Friday night succinctly: "I can say I battled and only gave up three, but my job tonight was to give up none." That's what the Reds' Aaron Harang did in his third career shutout, while Ryan Freel went 5-for-5 to spark Cincinnati's offense.

"We've got to do better individually and as a team," said Westbrook (6-4, 4.36 ERA), who lost for the first time at Jacobs Field this season.

"This is very frustrating and something has to be done about it," the right-hander continued in reference to Cleveland's sixth loss in seven games.

Manager Eric Wedge tried to shake the Tribe out of its lethargy by benching Ben Broussard and putting catcher Victor Martinez at first base for the first time as a major-leaguer. Veteran Tim Laker was designated for assignment and rookie Kelly Shoppach called up from the minors and started at catcher.

"It's difficult right now, but we've just got to rise above it," Wedge said. "Hopefully, we'll break out in a big way. Victor looked good at first, he's an athlete. We'll see how it goes, but this is not a one-game thing.

"It's no secret that we've got to play better defense. Ben is capable of playing better in the field. You can hit all day, but if you don't have pitching and defense, you're not going to win ballgames."

Friday, the Indians didn't hit, either, as Harang (8-5, 3.59 ERA) held them to seven hits -- two by Grady Sizemore (.298).

Cleveland's best chance came in the eighth when Sizemore and Ron Belliard each singled. But Jhonny Peralta hit into a double play and Travis Hafner bounced back to the mound to end the threat.

Meanwhile, Freel had three singles, two doubles, two stolen bases and scored twice. "That was a lot of fun," he said.

Class AAA Buffalo (37-39) lost to visiting Scranton Wilkes-Barre, 14-9, as four Bisons pitchers were ineffective. Starter Jeremy Guthrie (2.81 ERA) allowed seven runs, though only one was earned, over 2 2/3 innings. Normally reliable reliver Tom Mastny (1-1, 3.24 ERA) had his worst outing of the season, yielding four runs over 2 2/3 innings, then Vic Darensbourg (5.40 ERA) gave up one run over 1 1/3 innings and Ben Howard (4.35 ERA) walked three and allowed two runs over the final 2 1/3 innings. Jake Gautreau (.195) hit a two-run homer, his sixth, and Jason Alfaro (.217) went 3-for-5 with an RBI to lead the offense.

Class AA Akron (47-25) routed visiting Binghamton, 9-2, as recently promoted catcher Wyatt Toregas (.333) went 2-for-4 with three RBI and second baseman Eider Torres (.283) was 3-for-5 with three runs and a two-run homer, his second. Outfielder Ryan Goleski (.329) went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Dan Denham (3-0, 2.77 ERA) gave up two runs over six innings, Kyle Collins (6.20 ERA) pitched a scoreless seventh and Travis Foley (2.74 ERA) allowed one hit over two scoreless innings.

Class A Kinston (3-1) won at home over Salem, 11-7. Brandon Pinckney (.247) drove in three runs with two hits, and Brian Barton (.287) went 1-for-3 with three RBI to spark the offense. Christopher Hicks (5-0, 3.38 ERA) struck out six over 4 1/3 innings of relief for the win. He allowed three runs on five hits without a walk. Starter Scott Lewis (1.30 ERA) yielded a season-high four runs and seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. Wyatt Allen (0.79 ERA) worked a perfect ninth.

Class A Lake County (1-0), which went 29-41 in the first half, opened its second half with a 4-1 win won at home over Delmarva. Carlton Smith (3-3, 4.47 ERA) allowed one run over five innings. Cody Bunkelman (2.93 ERA) pitched two innings, Albert Vargas (4.54 ERA) one inning and Matt Davis (3.66 ERA) worked the ninth for his 17th save. Chris Gimenez (.243) hit a two-run homer, his fourth, while John Drennen (.308) and Chris De La Cruz (.237) each had two hits for the Captains.

Class A Mahoning Valley (2-2) won its home opener, 5-2, over Williamsport. Second baseman Dustin Realini went 2-for-4 with his first pro homer, a two-run shot. Outfielder Jason Denham, DH Matt McBride and catcher Kelly Edmundson all had two of the Scrappers' 11 hits. Starter Josh Tomlin had a fine pro debut, striking out five over three perfect innings. Luis Valdez (1-0, 4.50 ERA) also fanned five and got the win despite yielding two runs over three innings. Chris Cooper worked a scoreless 1 2/3 innings and Steve Schutt pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings for his first save.

Rookie League Burlington (1-1) had its game in Danville suspended by rain in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Indians leading, 3-2. Argenis Tavarez (.778) continued his torrid start, going 2-for-2 and scoring twice. Erik Stiller, signed out of Princeton as a non-drafted free agent, allowed two runs on four hits over three innings in his pro debut.

GCL Indians (2-1) were routed by the host GCL Tigers, 15-5. Left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz (0-1), a Dominican pitching his first game in America, allowed nine runs (six earned) over 1 1/3 innings. Alexis De La Rosa later gave up five runs (three earned) over 1 1/3 innings. First baseman Luis Rincon (.538) went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, his first.

TODAY'S FARM SYSTEM THREE STARS (HITTING)

PLAYER	TEAM	AB	H	HR	R	RBI	SB	BB	SO
1. E. Torres	Akron	5	3	1	3	2	0	0	0
2. W. Toregas	Akron	4	2	0	1	3	0	0	0
3. L. Rincon	GCL Indians	5	3	1	1	2	0	0	2

TODAY'S FARM SYSTEM THREE STARS (PITCHING)

PLAYER	Team	W	L	SV	IP	ER	H	BB	SO
1. J. Tomlin	Mahoning Valley	0	0	0	3.0	0	0	0	5
2. C. Smith	Lake County	1	0	0	5.0	1	4	3	5
3. D. Denham	Akron	1	0	0	6.0	2	6	1	4