Major League Baseball

Reds 6, Indians 5

Published Mar. 31, 2012 2:00 a.m. ET

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Todd Frazier and Juan Francisco are doing their best to make a case for a roster spot.

Frazier, Francisco and Ryan LaMarre homered in a five-run eighth inning off reliever Dan Wheeler and the Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday.

Frazier and Francisco are competing for the job of backing up veteran Scott Rolen.

Frazier has minor league options left and Francisco doesn't. But Frazier is a better defensive player and has hit a team-leading five home runs. Francisco was slowed with a calf injury early in camp and was overweight but has hit four home runs, including two in the past two games.

''They've had a lot of at-bats,'' Reds manager Dusty Baker said. ''The final spots are the toughest to make if you have a good team. If you don't have a good team, you don't have as many options.''

With one out, Frazier and Francisco homered. Willie Harris singled and scored on Ryan Ludwick's double. LaMarre's two-run homer capped the rally.

Frazier has prepared for whatever is decided.

''I have put things together whether I go to Cincinnati or Louisville,'' Frazier said. ''They haven't told me anything yet.''

Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera homered off Reds opening day starter Johnny Cueto. Cueto went six innings, allowing two runs and four hits in his last start before opening day.

''I'm ready for the season,'' Cueto said. ''I've learned from watching Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez pitch on opening day. I feel like I'm the number one (starter) now, but I have to keep working.''

Jeanmar Gomez left the game with a mildly strained hip after 3 2/3 innings.

The Cleveland pitcher stretched for a return throw from shortstop Cabrera to complete a double play in the bottom of the fourth inning. He threw two balls to Chris Heisey before he was removed.

''Gomez was doing very well until that mild hip sprain,'' Indians manager Manny Acta said. ''We didn't want to take any chances with him. He had a little trouble pushing off and looked uncomfortable. This does not eliminate him from fifth spot consideration.''

The fifth spot is between Gomez and Kevin Slowey, who allowed seven earned runs in five innings in a minor league game.

Gomez is the third Indians pitcher to get hurt in two days. Derek Lowe left his start Thursday with a sore back and David Huff injured his hamstring later in that game.

Wheeler found out earlier in the day that he made the Indians' opening day roster.

Notes: RHP Jairo Asencio reported to the Indians camp after he was acquired from Atlanta on Thursday. He will try to earn a bullpen spot by pitching Saturday and Monday. ... Carlos Santana hit his fourth home run of the spring for Cleveland. ... The Reds are down to 12 pitchers, including non roster LHP Jeff Francis, who will start against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. ... Former Ohio State running back Beanie Wells threw out the first pitch. The pitch from the Arizona Cardinals running back was caught by LaMarre, a University of Michigan graduate.

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