Jim Riggleman managed the San Diego Padres one year that was 14-0 against the Montreal Expos. The Reds faced that same measure of ineptitude after losing 13 straight times to the St. Louis Cardinals coming into the game Sunday afternoon.
The Reds scored four runs in the fourth inning off Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez after two were out to stop the streak with a 6-3 win. It was the 999th win all-time against St. Louis.
"Honestly the losing streak to the Cardinals was the last thing on my mind. It was all about today. It was unfortunate but a lot of stuff happened but we did get it," Jim Riggleman said.
Billy Hamilton walked. Ball four to Scott Schebler went to the backstop and Cardinals to challenge but the call was upheld. Tucker Barnhart singled with Schebler going to third. Joey Votto took his third walk to load the bases. The National League's leading hitter, Scooter Gennett. Gennett, who started the day with the fourth highest RBI total at 45, singled to score two runs. Eugenio Suarez, who was tied for the League's lead with 47 singled to score the fourth run of the inning.
"Where Billy hit that ball you don't see too many triples," Riggleman said. "He got himself in scoring position. Scheb put the ball in play and we got a quick point."
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Matt Carpenter singled with one out. Tommy Pham and Jose Martinez walked to load the bases. Marcel Ozuna hit a line drive to left. Jesse Winker leaped against the wall and appeared to catch the ball and third base umpire Brian Knight ruled a catch. The runners moved up thinking the ball hit the wall first. The throw was sent to second base to double up Phamm. The Cardinals challenged and the call was reversed with one run scoring and the bases loaded with one out. Molina hit a line drive to left and Pham beat Winker's throw.
The Reds got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Hamilton lead off with a triple on a close play at third. Schebler's ground ball to second got the run home. Barnhart and Votto walked but Gennett struck out. Suarez was hit by a pitch to load the bases but Winker hit into a force play.
Martinez walked seven and hit a batter leading to his removal.from the game. Cardinals' pitchers walked a season-high 11 altogether
DeSclafani pitched into the sixth inning. Greg Garcia doubled to open the sixth. Harrison Bader singled too sharply for Garcia to score. Manager Jim Riggleman brought Amir Garrett into the game. Pinch hitter Yairo Munoz flied to shallow right. Garcia was going to hold but Schebler's throw bounced off Barnhart's mitt and even Garrett, who played college basketball at St. John's could haul in the rebound as it went to the dugout. Garcia scored on the error and Bader was awarded third. Pinch hitter Luke Voit bounced to the mound. Garrett fielded and got Bader in a rundown. Garrett struck out Carpenter to end the inning.
DeSclafani's second start since returning from injury was five innings, allowing three runs, two earned on 10 hits and two walks.
"I don't think I'm as good as I wanted to be today," DeSclafani said. "There's definitely a lot of work to do. I was falling behind some guys and giving up too many hits. That's a lot of battling throughout the game. It is something to build on. It's a win. The team played great defense behind me."
DeSclafani earned his first win since he beat the Cardinals on September 28, 2016, 2-1.
"DeSclafani did a good job and we made some plays behind him," Riggleman said. "Anthony is a pro. He prepares himself to give you every thing he's got. He left it all out there."
Michael Lorenzen pitched a scoreless eighth.
Adam Duvall's pinch hit single off Brett Cecil in the eighth gave the Reds a 6-3 lead.
Jared Hughes took the mound in the eighth. Hamilton made a great catch against the fence off Garcia that led to a scoreless inning. Hughes was able to earn his fourth save in five tries after using just 13 pitches in the eighth. Hamilton made another catch against the fence on Carpenter's long ball.
"It's awesome. I'm so excited for him," Hughes said of DeSclafani. "I'm a big fan of T-bone. The balls coming out well. Any time you get a save its good because the team won."
Hamilton made two catches against the fence to rob Cardinal batters of extra base hits and threw out two base runners trying to advance, including Carlos Martinez at the plate, trying to score on a double.
"That's why Billy is so important," Riggleman said. "With all due respect with every body else, nobody can do the things he does and I mean throughout the league. He threw a couple guys out and made a few catches. He was on display today."
DeSclafani and Hughes chimed in on Hamilton's defense.
"It's top notch man. It's definitely fun to watch, DeSclafani said. "Billy has saved my butt a couple times. He makes some great plays. It builds a momentum into an inning. If he makes a great play for out one, it's like you snuck away with and out. It gives you momentum to get the next two and into the next inning."
"Billy made some insane plays," Hughes said. "I gave him the game ball and a big hug. It was unbelievable. I'm so happy he's on my team."
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