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Hafner slam puts Reds away early
by JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer
Jul 02, 2006 | 90 views | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
CINCINNATI - Ailing Travis Hafner had a pinch-hit grand slam Saturday night that tied a Cleveland record and rallied the reeling Indians to a 12-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Hafner, scratched from the lineup because of a sore elbow, matched Al Rosen's 1951 club mark with his fourth grand slam of the season. The fifth-inning shot off Joe Mays (0-1) was salve for a team aching from back-to-back meltdowns in the ninth inning.

Left-hander Cliff Lee (8-5) remained unbeaten since May 29 and perfect during interleague play throughout his career. Lee gave up four runs in six innings, including Ken Griffey Jr.'s solo homer, while improving to 7-0 in 10 interleague starts.

A Cleveland bullpen that was rocked for nine runs in the series opener had plenty of margin for error, and needed it. Austin Kearns hit a two-run homer off reliever Rafael Perez in the seventh, and Ryan Freel homered off Fernando Cabrera in the eighth.

This time, there was too much ground for the high-powered Reds to make up.
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