CLEVELAND -- The Indians did away with late dramatics for a day and opted for a stress-free 12-4 Interleague victory over the Reds on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field. The win completed a three-game sweep over Cleveland's in-state rivals.
Asdrubal Cabrera led the Tribe's charge with a career-high five hits, including a pair of home runs for the first multi-homer outburst of his career. The Indians shortstop began his offensive onslaught with a two-run homer off Reds starter Edinson Volquez as part of a four-run first inning for Cleveland.
Cabrera added a solo homer -- his ninth blast of the season -- off Cincinnati reliever Sam LeCure in the sixth, at which point the Indians had run to an 8-4 advantage. Overall, Cabrera equaled a career-best with five RBIs, becoming the first Indians player since July 16, 2004 (Victor Martinez) to collect at least five hits and five RBIs in the same game.
That cushion was more than ample in sending the Indians (29-15) and starter Carlos Carrasco (3-2) to the win column. For good measure, Cleveland added some insurance with a four-run push in the seventh inning, when Cabrera contributed a run-scoring single.
In all, seven players scored at least one run for the Indians, who swept the Reds for the first time since June 2004. Michael Brantley scored three runs and had two RBIs, Shin-Soo Choo also drove in a pair and Jack Hannahan aided the offense with an RBI double and two runs scored.
Carrasco earned a win after allowing the Reds (25-22) four runs on six hits over six innings. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce launched solo homers for Cincinnati, which has lost five in a row. Carrasco ended the afternoon with three strikeouts and one walk.
Volquez hit the showers after being charged with seven runs (six earned) on seven hits in just 2 2/3 innings for the Reds. Cincinnati reliever Jordan Smith surrendered a four-spot that helped Cleveland, which now boasts an 18-4 record at home this year, run to a 12-4 lead in the seventh.
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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