Anthony DeSclafani matched American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber pitch by pitch.
Runs were at a premium at Progressive Field.
Jason Kipnis run scoring double off Tony Cingrani made Kluber the winner, 2-1.
The Reds scored first on a sacrifice fly by Zack Cozart, the third straight run the Reds scored without a hit driving in the scoring runner. Jay Bruce extended his hitting streak to six games with a single off Kluber leading off the second inning. Bryan Pena doubled Bruce to third. Cozart's fly left an runner in scoring position with one out.
DeSclafani walked Brandon Moss leading off the second but a slick double play started by Joey Votto allowed DeSclafani to face the minimum through three. Votto fielded Nick Swisher's topped ground ball at firstbase as he moved toward the line. Votto stepped on the base, pivoted and flipped under hand over Moss' head to Cozart, who fielded the throw and applied a quick tag to nip Moss.
"I was able to keep the ball in the zone today," said DeSclafani, who allowed nine earned runs over his last two starts in nine innings. "I was struggling the last two times out. I was happy to keep the team in the game. The defense played great."
The Reds had nine hits off Kluber but couldn't push a run over. The Reds wasted a two-out double by Votto in the third. Bruce doubled to open the fourth. Pena hit a one-hop ground ball to Carlos Santa at first. Santana threw to third to retire Bruce. Brandon Phillips singled and got to second in the fifth. Frazier singled and got to second in the sixth. Neither scored. Billy Hamilton singled with one out in the seventh but was caught stealing by catcher Roberto Perez.
Hamilton jammed his wrist and shoulder on the play.
"I ran into his (Jose Ramirez's) leg," said Hamilton, who stayed in the game and expects to play tomorrow. "There is not too much that can take me out of a game. I'd have to be dying not to play. As I moved, it got better."
The Indians had very few runners but unlike the Reds came up with a big hit.
DeSclafani got the first two batters out in the sixth. Kipnis hit a sinking line drive to right that Brennan Boesch got his glove on but lost as he hit the ground. Santana walked. David Murphy singled up the middle to score Kipnis with the tying run.
"DeSclafani needed that," Bryan Price said. "I don't want to overlook that. We had a nice approach against Kluber. We knew he was going to be around the plate and we squared up some ball on him but you have to beat good pitchers. You just can't wait to beat up on everyones number five starter."
Jay Bell, managing for Bryan Price, who was ejected before the first pitch, brought in Cingrani to pitch the eighth. Cingrani walked Perez, hitting .182, to start the inning. Michael Bourn forced pinch runner Mike Aviles, trying to bunt him to second. Bourn scored on Kipnis double to leftcenter.
Cody Allen pitched a scoreless ninth for ninth save.
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