The Cincinnati Reds completed a come-from-behind win on Tuesday night with some help from the Athletics bullpen. But it wasn’t an easy victory as the home team was tested in the 9th before hanging on for the victory in the series opener at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds were threatening int he bottom of the 1st inning after back-to-back 1-out singles by Sal Stewart and JJ Bleday. Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn was able to escape the jam with a double play ball off the bat of Tyler Stephenson to end the inning. Neither team would threaten much again until the top of the 4th inning. That’s when Tyler Soderstrom led off with a double and this time the situation was capitalized on when Jeff McNeil singled in the run to break a 0-0 tie.
Cincinnati would get two runners on in the bottom of the inning but once again couldn’t come through. The Athletics got two runners on in the 5th and they once again took advantage as Jacob Wilson doubled in both runs to push the lead to 3-0.
Hector Rodriguez, the #3 prospect in the Reds organization who was playing in his MLB debut, walked to start off the 5th inning. He took third base when Matt McLain doubled. Elly De La Cruz then singled into left to drive them both in. Sal Stewart would then tie the game up with a sacrifice fly that brought De La Cruz in from third.
After six solid innings from Brady Singer the game was turned over to Sam Moll to start the 7th inning. He gave up a 2-out single to Henry Bolte, who then stole second base. Moll appeared to get out of the inning on a grounder up the middle, but Elly De La Cruz threw the ball in the dirt and Sal Stewart wouldn’t pick the ball cleanly as Bolte raced around third to score the go-ahead run just ahead of the throw home by Stewart.
Two innings later De La Cruz led off the 8th with a walk. Stewart followed with one of his own. The next two hitters couldn’t get the runners in, but they both advanced a base on a fly out. Athletics reliever Hogan Harris then uncorked a wild pitch that brought in De La Cruz to tie the game up. It was just his second wild pitch of the year. Four pitches later he threw another wild pitch and Stewart raced home and scored on a head-first slide to put the Reds up 5-4.
Emilio Pagan took over for Cincinnati in the top of the 9th inning. After getting a fly out to begin the frame, a grounder to shortstop was ruled a hit after the umpire said Sal Stewart didn’t have his foot on the bag. The Reds challenged it and there didn’t seem to be evidence to overturn it. Max Muncy then flew out to the warning track in left for the second out. Henry Bolte then singled into left to move the tying run up to second base with two outs. Pagan came through with a strikeout to end the game and pick up the save.
Key Moment of the Game
The bottom of the 8th inning where Hogan Harris allowed the game tying and go ahead runs to score on wild pitches during his matchup against Eugenio Suarez.
Notes Worth Noting
Brady Singer recorded his 4th quality start in his last five outings.
Julian Garcia was pitching independent league baseball a year ago. After a shutout 8th inning on Tuesday night he’s now rocking a 2.18 ERA in 20.2 innings for the Reds while having given up just nine hits.
Since returning from the injured list Emilio Pagan has thrown 10.1 innings and allowed two runs (1.74 ERA).
The Reds have won four of their last five games.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
(Sacramento) Athletics vs Cincinnati Reds
Wednesday August 5th, 6:40pm ET
Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.79 ERA) vs Rhett Lowder (3-7, 5.42 ERA)
