Today's hero dujour Jake Fraley hit his ninth home run of the season following Elly De la Cruz bloop double to defeat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 to start a numbers game.
"It is fun when its your turn (to be the hero) but I'd argue that it is just as fun watching other guys do it to. I think every guy in that clubhouse would say the same thing. I feel blessed to be a part of a team like this," Fraley said.
Eleven straight wins, three straight series sweeps and 26 comeback wins are the amazing numbers.
Is there pressure to keep it going?
I don't think it is a challenge," Fraley said. "I think it becomes a challenge if the right mindset isn't in place for us as a team. Because then you start naturally having the pressure that comes with a win streak, how long can we keep this up. That's not the case with those guys in there."
The Reds took the field against the Colorado Rockies, trying to become the first team since 1957 to win 11 games in a row. They won 12 in row that season. The 1940 World Champion Reds won 11 straight games.
"The 11-game win streak is a reminder it isn't easy," said David Bell, his grandfather played on the 1957 team. "It takes everything we have. You think about mentioning a team like that (1957), it is very meaningful to me. I've heard so much about those teams. Being compared to in a small way to a team like that is pretty neat. Personally, it means a lot to me. I've heard so much about my grandfather's teammates and how much they meant to the city."
After 17 2/3 scoreless innings to start his Major League career, Andrew Abbott gave up a home run to leadoff hitter Brenton Doyle to break the streak.
It was bound to happen.
"I didn't feel bad," Abbott said. "Guys are going to score off you. It's bound to happen. The biggest thing for me was how do I respond when it does happen. There were three for me today. I tried to stay composed and tried to give my team, five, six maybe seven innings and we didn't tax the bullpen anymore."
It was Doyle's fifth home run and first leading off a game. It barely left the yard, landing on the roof of the Rockies bullpen. Elehuris Montero hit his first home run in the second inning. Randal Grichuk hit his second home run of the season in the fourth inning to put Colorado up, 3-0.
The Rockies have an ailing pitching staff. They decided to open the game with reliever, Jake Bird, who pitched two scoreless innings.
Karl Kaufman, added to the roster this morning, pitched a scoreless third and fourth but loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth.
Joey Votto was hit by a pitch. Tyler Stephenson's second hit of the game was a single to left. Will Benson walked on a 3-2 pitch. Rockies manager Bud Black summoned Matt Carasiti to bail them out. Luke Maile grounded a single up the middle to score Votto and Stephenson. TJ Friedl lined a single to right to tie the game and send Maile to third with no outs. Spencer Steer struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch. Jonathan India took a called third strike with Friedl running. Austin Wynns threw down and Maile appeared to score but India was called for interference and it became an inning ending double play.
Abbott pitched six innings and gave up four hits, including three solo home runs. He didn't walk anyone and struck out 10.
Lucas Sims pitched a scoreless seventh. Ian Gibaut allowed a leadoff single in the eighth but finished a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts.
Buck Farmer spelled Alexis Diaz in the ninth and earned his second save of the season with a scoreless inning.
Reds' pitchers struck out 15
It seams like every move Bell makes works out, rolling the dice pitching Alexis Diaz on fumes and when he saved Diaz, whoever he put in did the job.
"It is not about pushing the right buttons. It is definitely not that. It's about the way the game is being played by those players. It is very inspiring to be around. It is happening in the clubhouse. It's happening on the field. And what's happening in the ballpark, our fans, it's seeing them enjoy the game. It means a lot to us," Bell said.
Even the rookie Abbott had the streak in perspective. Like his string of scoreless innings, this streak will end at some point.
"It's always the expectation to go out to win. We've had a lot of opportunities and just cashed in on most of them," Abbott said.
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