Elly De la Cruz Leadoff Home Run Leads Reds To Sweep Nick Senzel Homers

Elly De la Cruz hit his fifth home run of the season against Jose Ruiz, leading off the game to set the tone for the Reds 7-3 win and sweep over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nick Senzel blasted his eighth home run of the season in the second inning. It followed a single by Christian Encarnacion-Strand. 

"Elly started it offe. He kind of set the tone," Senzel said. "I just tried to piggyback off him and try to take a good at bat and kind of build on what Elly did to start us off. Yeah that one felt good. I really don't get to hit off right handers any more. That's why."

Senzel was the Reds first pick in the 2016 draft. Injuries and the accelerated development has limited his playing time. He mostly faces left handed pitchers but today he victimized right hander Jose Ruiz. 

David Bell is managing a team with a lot of younger players with plenty of talent but he knows they need time off to recharge from time-to-time. 

De la Cruz has been the talk of Major League baseball since he was called up on June 6. He has hit a rough patch. Bell found him a day off and De la Cruz responded.

"It was just the way we drew it up. It always happens that way (give a day off and he homers)," said Bell with a touch of irony. "We have to give guys a day off. It is somebody good every day. Elly looked a little refreshed after the day off."

 "It is really difficult to describe Nick's attitude over the course of this whole season, I've gotten to know Nick really well. He's handled everything incredibly well. Just a great teammate doing anything and everything he can to stay ready and help our team win and support his teammates. He's a big player on our team, an important player to get him. To be able to get him in there to contribute to a win. The guys on our team could not be happier for Nick."

McLain told De la Cruz that he would hit a home run in his first at bat and that he should point to the camera. De la Cruz pointed to McLain instead after blast left the yard.

"I am happy with the work we did on the off day. I want to give a shout out to the whole team. We have all been working very hard and doing very well," said De la Cruz through interpreter Jorge Merlos.

The Diamondbacks are missing two starters who are on the injured list, Merrill Kelly and Zach Davies. Manager Torey Lovullo elected to have a bullpen day. Ruiz made his first start in six years. He lasted started a game for the San Diego Padres against the New York Mets in 2017.

Luke Weaver, who must carry a horseshoe in his back pocket made one quality start, when he tossed six scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 25. None the less the Reds were winners in nine of his 16 starts and eight of his last nine coming into the game.

Weaver shut out the Diamondbacks for four innings. 

In the fifth inning Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte reached on singles. Rookie Corbin Carroll blasted a 446 foot drive that landed on the deck of the steam boat replica on top of the batter's eye in left centerfield. Carroll's 21st home run tied the game at 3-3.

The running Reds took the lead in the sixth. McLain singled to start the inning but was caught stealing on a close play. He was called safe but Arizona made a successful challenge. Spencer Steer singled and scored on a double by Jake Fraley but Fraley was thrown out trying for third on the throw to the plate.

TJ Friedl, McLain and Steer opened the bottom of the eighth against Tyler Gilbert with singles to score one run. Fraley flied out but India walked and Encarnacion-Strand hit a two-run single to break the game open.

Buck Farmer, Derek Law, Ian Gibaut and Fernando Cruz pitched a scoreless inning each. 

Levi Stoudt pitched the ninth. He gave up a triple when Fraley couldn't make a diving catch. He walked Ketel Marte. Stoudt struck out Carrol but David Bell brought Lucas Sims into the game seeking his second save. He walked Christian Walker but sealed the win by getting Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Reds swept the Diamondbacks for the first time since 2007.

"They (Diamondbacks) just came off a big series win in Atlanta. They are kind of like us a young talented team. We knew we had to play our best baseball and put those losses behind us. I didn't really have a question that we would. We did that. To get three big wins against them was just huge," Senzel said.

The Reds go to Milwaukee having won five straight and are just a half game behind the Brewers 55-45 record at 55-46. Atlanta beat the Brewers on Sunday 4-2.

"To go on the little skid that we had, this was astronomical, huge," Fraley said. "It may sound a little weird to say. If you want to be where you want to be at the end of the year, winning the division, going to the playoffs, I feel like you have to have some adversity through out the season. We had that early and then we found our way, then hit another little skid coming out of the break (losing six straight). Having stretches like that create a little fork in the road for us, like which one are we going to take. To do what we did this series against a really good Diamondback team, shows how secure we are as a team."

Reds Power Eruption Defangs Diamondbacks Williamson Pitches Six Strong Innings

TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Jake Fraley hit home runs in succession to propel the Reds to a 4-2 victory to insure a series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Reds last hit back-to-back-to-back home runs last season in Yankee stadium when Kyle Farmer, Mike Moustakas and Stuart Fairchild hit them off Luis Severino in the second inning of a 7-6 10-inning loss.

"It is awesome going back-to-back-back like that," Friedl. "I had just taken the helmet off. I said sweet hand it of. I'll give it up every time. Matty hit his and when the picture happened. Jake hit his. I thought let's see how many we can get to. No we didn't compare distances. I think Matty would have won. They all go into the books as home runs."

A battle of rookies named Brandon took place on the Great American Ball Park pitcher's mound.

The Reds sent Brandon Williamson out for his 12th start and the first without rain in four starts. He finished with six innings of one-run baseball on three hits and a walk. He struck out six to even his record at 2-2.

Williamson appeared in the postgame press conference in a Reds' snuggy that his wife's grandmother made.

Brandon Pfaadt from Louisville Trinity HS and Bellarmine University made his seventh start. He came in with a 9.82 ERA.

Pfaadt got into early trouble. Spencer Steer led off the game with a single to right. Friedl reached on an error by second baseman, Ketel Marte. McLain was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pfaadt struck out Fraley and Jonathan India to begin a string of 16 straight batters retired.

"The first inning a lot of times when you have an opportunity like that and the pitcher makes pitches to get out of it. It takes a few innings to get it going again," David Bell said. "Give a lot of credit to Brandon Williamson he gave us little breathing room to get us back and get it going again. Once we did we got a few of them."

Williamson flinched first but held. He retired the first nine batters and walked Marte. He gave up a double to Evan Longoria in the fifth. Jake McCarthy hit a leadoff double in the sixth and scored on a single by Marte. 

Friedl broke Pfaadt's 16-out string with his seventh home run, McLain followed with his 10th and Fraley belted his 14th to tie him with India and Steer for the team lead. 

The Reds added an insurance run in the eighth against Scott McGough. Steer opened the inning with a single. Friedl doubled Steer to third. Elly De la Cruz ran for Steer. McLain struck out but De la Cruz beat Christian Walker's throw home on Fraley's ground out to the bag.

Rookie Corbin Carrol belted his 20th home run of the season off Alexis Diaz with the bases empty in the ninth.

"What an incredible day, a beautiful day, incredible crowd," Bell. "We appreciate that so much. To play well ultimately we want wins but to play a good game like that. We feel good about that because our fans deserve that."

Matt McLain Slams Snakes Sends Reds To Third Straight Win

 

Matt McLain hit a grand slam home run off Justin Martinez to cap a five-run fifth against the Arizona Diamondbacks that carried the Reds to a 9-6 win.

The rookie shortstop sent a 101 mph pitch out of the park for the big blow in the game with two strikes on him.

"He blew two past me," McLain explained. "I made a little adjustment after the first one. It wasn't enough so I had to start earlier. He throws gas. I consider myself a hitter who hits line drives and if I get under them hopefully, they go. Power comes with knowing the pitches that I can hit best and look for that pitch."  

The Reds survived two home runs by Ketel Marte, playing their mirror image Arizona Diamondbacks hooked up for the first time this season. 

Both teams are young, fast and aggressive on the base paths. Their season numbers are eerily close, the difference being Arizona players have been at this level all season. The younger Reds arrived after the first two months of the season. Both teams have spent time in first place. Both are in second place as they meet. The Dbacks trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games. The Reds trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 2 1/2 games.

Ben Lively, making a comeback at the age of 31 almost a decade after being a top pitching prospect for the Reds, praises the Reds rookies

"It is awesome," Lively said. "Literally, they are so energetic and alive every day. It is so cool. Even doing their drills they're full on and going at it. It's really fun. I just close my eyes and think no I'm not 31, I'm 21. I might do that again. It keeps me going for sure."

Lively started for the Reds. He gave up Ketel Marte's 16th home run in the first inning.

The Reds got the run back in the bottom of the inning with an unearned run. Nick Senzel reached first on an error by shortstop, Geraldo Perdormo. Matt McLain and Jonathan India singled to produce the run. India got the RBI. 

The Reds used wildness by Arizona starter, Tommy Henry in the second inning. He walked Tyler Stephenson and Will Benson. He hit Elly De la Cruz with a pitch, loading the bases. Senzel beat a double play relay to drive in the Reds' second run.

Arizona evened the game on a double by Alek Thomas and single by Perdomo.

The Reds turned two more walks by Henry into a pair of runs. With two outs, Senzel and McLain walked. Spencer Steer increased his RBI total to 53 with a double to put the Reds up 4-2.

The Dbacks chased Lively in the fifth. Lively walked Perdomo with two outs. Marte triple off the top of Benson's glove in right field. 

The competitor, who had to fight to get back to the Big Leagues did not want to leave the game.

"I felt good I was executing early in the game," Lively said. "Of course, always (surprised when they come and get you), in that situation but I get it.e Me against lefties has been up and down the last couple outings. We play the matchups too. As long as we win. If we don't win, I'm more pissed."

The Reds broke the game open in the bottom of the inning. Henry got Joey Votto to ground out. Arizona manager Tory Lovello brought in young hard throwing right hander, Justin Martinez. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled. Stephenson hit a ball up the middle fielded by Marte at second. He flipped to Perdomo, who missed second base before throwing to first. Stephenson beat the throw and both runners were safe. Benson hit a ground rule double to left to score Encarnacion-Strand. Lovello walked De la Cruz intentionally to load the bases. TJ Friedl struck out batting for Senzel. McLain scorched an 0-2 pitch into the Arizona bullpen in right for his ninth home run of the year and first career grand slam.

"It was a huge hit in the game," David Bell said. "We all know that. The most impressive thing to be able to hit a fastball like that, when you're down in the count, I can't stress enough how important that is to be successful at this level. To hit a fastball period. But to hit a special fastball like that and have that kind of power to be able to drive the ball like that to the opposite field says a lot right there. It sets Matt up to be able to do both those things at this level."

"A lot of good at bats led to the big hits tonight."

Thomas hit his sixth home run with two outs and bases empty in the seventh off Fernando Cruz. Perdomo beat out a slow roller down the third base line, beating Cruz' throw by a step. Marte hit his 17th home run to bring the Diamondbacks within three.

Lucas Sims walked two in a scoreless eighth.

Alexis Diaz came in for his 28th save with a scoreless ninth.

McLain raised his batting average above .300 with two hits and a walk.

"I love McLain," Lively said. "He's awesome. Matt's one of a kind. That guy will go balls to the wall 24/7 and its awesome. It gets me fired up it really does."

The Reds gained a game on Milwaukee (54-44), who lost to the Atlanta Braves, 6-4. They are 1 1/2 game behind at (53-46).

Andrew Abbott Cuts The Giants Down To Size Reds Roast Cobb

The Reds gained a series split over the San Francisco Giants with a 5-1 win.

Andrew Abbott made the start for the Reds dueling Alex Cobb, who is in the top 10 in the National League with a 2.82 ERA.

"It is impressive," David Bell said. "It impresses all of us. I don't think it impresses himself. I think ever since the first day he came here. He knew what he was capable of. I expects it of himself. He respects the league. He respects the difficulty of what he has to do but at the same time he pitches with great confidence."

Abbott started the game statistically better with a 2.45 ERA but with only 10 starts, including Thursday's start is ineligible for the leader board.

Abbott retired the first eight Giant batters before walking number nine hitter Brett Wisely. San Francisco managed one hit in eight innings against Abbott, who retired the last 12 in order. He walked two and struck out six in his longest outing of his season and career. His ERA dropped to 2.10.

Yet he didn't have his best stuff.

"I actually came up to Luke after that last inning and said I didn't have my best stuff at all today but at the end of the day, you have to go out and compete," Abbott said. "I made some good adjustments in the middle of the game. I talked to DJ and talked to Luke. I was just focusing on direction so Ibstopped those wide misses. I made a good enough adjustment just to get in the zone. I was able to get ahead later in the game than earlier. I was throwing all four pitches at the end of the game instead of just two at the beginning."

The Reds were hitless until Luke Maile followed a walk to Will Benson with his fourth home run of the season.

Wilmer Flores, who has four home runs in the series, walked to open the fourth. He was still at first with two outs when Luis Matos earned the first Giants hit, a double over Benson's head in left. Benson threw to Elly De la Cruz in shallow left, who relayed to Maile in plenty of time to nail Flores at home. 

Maile did it all today. He caught eight scoreless innings, was involved in a key defensive play and oh by the way had three hits, including the home run that started the offense.

"He's really good. A lot of people with any idea behind the plate would have fun catching him. He's responsible, ultimately, where the ball goes. The majority of the time, he does a really good job of executing. I enjoy catching him. I don't dismiss the fact that pitchers  get comfortable with guys. I'm not saying it's total nonsense but I just want to be clear. He's really good," said Maile of Abbott.

"It kind of the way it was going you knew they were going to send him as soon as the ball left the bat. It is like we do in spring training. We know he's coming home. It's going to be close. You just have to execute," said Maile about the key defensive play."

Getting three hits means a lot," Maile said. "The role that I've been in for most of my career, you want to give good at bats and when they throw you something to hit, you have to hammer it. There was a little bit of a spell there for me offensively. I felt I was kind of holding us back at the bottom of the lineup. I take a lot of pride in trying to turn that lineup over at the very minimum and if possible kind of do some damage."

Jonathan India reached Cobb for a double to lead off the fourth. He moved up on Joey Votto's ground out and scored on Christian Encarnacion-Strand's single. 

The run-wild-Reds had two runners erased on the bases. De la Cruz hit a one-hopper to Flores at first with runners at the corners. Flores threw Benson out at home on a close play. TJ Friedl hit a ground ball up the middle. De la Cruz beat the play at second but was standing up and rounded the bag. Maile was thrown out at home after stopping at third.

Jake Fraley doubled and scored on India's single to plate the Reds' fifth run. 

Derek Law took care of the Giants in the ninth but gave up Flores 12th home run with two outs and the bases empty.

There was a question of whether Abbott would get a chance to complete the shut out.

"They just ask you if you have one more in you. It was pretty hot out there and the bullpen's been taxed. I wanted to use all my bullets. I only have one start every five days. So I just wanted to go out there and lay it all out," Abbot said.

"It was hot out there. He was pretty tired," Bell said. "I think what allowed him to go longer was the way he got quick outs in the later innings," Bell said.

During the Reds losing streak of six games, they generally got good pitching but the offense was anemic. Today they got plenty of both with some additional defense, including De la Cruz relay.

"The defense was outstanding all day. Sometimes they go hand in hand. You have a starter throwing strikes. Luke Maile did a good job with Andrew today," Bell said.

"The thing about Elly right now, is he's helping us win in so many ways. A lot of it goes unnoticed even though we're all recognizing what a special player he is. Even like pop ups that most players don't get to on the field. Taking a run of the board is just huge in any game and that was a huge play today."

Will Benson Connects To End Two Streaks

Will Benson hit his sixth home run of the season to give the Reds a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants

The win snapped the Giants winning streak at seven and the Reds' losing streak at six.

"It's awesome," Benson said. "The main thing is the win. Whether it is my hit or anybody's hit as long as we got the win that's the only thing that's important. It's cool to be a part of. You never know who it is going to be."

Benson followed sharp singles by Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Stephenson with an opposite field blast to left centerfield off Ross Stripling. 

"Yeah of course (satisfaction from hitting the ball the other way) In my book that's the sweetest home run, you can hit," Benson said. "As a lefty hitting a line drive on the back side it is as good a swing as you can get. Yes I'm happy for the home run but am a little bit happier it was the other way."

Graham Ashcraft brought the Giants down to size with a strong start besides a temporary loss of control. Ashcraft hit David Villar to open the fifth inning and walked the eight and nine hole hitters before he, Encarnacion-Strand and Elly De la Cruz turned in a 3-6-1 double play.

Blake Sabol hit his 11th home run off the top of the left field wall leading off the seventh inning. Ian Gibaut relieved Ashcraft.

Ashcraft allowed two earned runs in six plus innings with five hits, two walks and three strike outs. It was his fourth straight quality start of six innings or more and three runs or fewer.

"It is similar to what I've been saying," Ashcraft said. "It has been finding that rhythm and getting in it. In the fifth and sixth there were some at bats I got away and started thinking a little bit too much like trying to figure out what's going on.  When in reality I didn't need to sit and think about it I just needed to go out attack the zone. Once I got back in that mentality the mechanics kind of fell in line."

His start allowed to Reds to limit the use of the bullpen which has been strapped by rain and extra inning games.

"We needed it. He came through with a good start, David Bell said. "He had really good stuff. I think the key was getting out of a couple jams. There were some good plays but Graham made good pitches. He did his job for sure."

Stripling retired the last 11 batters he faced before Giants' manager Gabe Kapler lifted him for Ryan Walker.

Lucas Sims pitched a scoreless eighth.

Walker retired all six Reds' batters he faced. The Reds were retired in order seven times in the first eight innings. They had all four hits and scored all three runs in the third inning.

All-Star Alexis Diaz earned his 27th save by striking out two in a perfect ninth.

The Reds entire infield were rookies.

"It hit me tonight," Bell said. "We have some younger players. I don't think, I think about it that way because of the way they're handling everything. They're not playing like first year players. The development process in our system to get to this point to not really think about how young they are. It's not only exciting for the future but for the now where they are in the process already."

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Hits First Joey Votto Hits HIs 350th Reds Lose Slugfest To Giants.

The Reds hit four home runs including Christian Encarnacion-Strands first career and Joey Votto's 350th career but eight base on balls allowed the San Francisco Giants to walk away with an 11-10 win.

Encarnacion-Strand's first hit an home run was in a pinch hit appearance batting for Jake Fraley, who had already homered.

"Honestly when it happened. I was just happy," Encarnacion-Strand said. "Like I said in the early interviews, I just want to be a spark for the team. I want to help them win. I went in and took a couple swings in the cage. In all honestly, I try not to think. When I think I get in trouble. I just wanted to take a couple swings to be ready. That's a good feeling for sure (faith in him) I thought they were going to Senzel, honestly. When they called me, it caught me a little bit by surprise. Like I said when they call me I try not to think, just go up there and hit."

The Giants have won seven straight the Reds have lost six straight.

The Reds scored just five runs in the first five games of the losing streak but exploded against the Giants after a tough extra-inning loss of the suspended game to start the day.

"Our lineup is starting to get long especially with some of the switches made by the manager's about who is coming off the bench. Those stretches where you don't score runs," Votto said. "That's a Major League season. You do the best you can to be sharper in one aspect to keep the game closer. This stretch has happened quickly. It is amazing how stretches like this can come about. The opposite can happen. We anticipate that will come soon."

The Reds sent Luke Weaver to the mound to stop the losing streak.

In spite of Weaver's ERA rising from 5.45 to 7.00 the Reds have won each of his last eight starts.

Wilmer Flores, who had two doubles and a home run in the first game of the series, hit his 10th home run of the year.

Former Red Anthony DeSclafani, who was just returned from the Injured List before the game, gave up a single to Matt McLain and Jake Fraley's 13th home run of the season. Spencer Steer singled in the second inning and Will Benson hit his fifth home run to put the Reds up 4-1. 

Weaver walked number eight hitter Brett Wisely to start the third. Casey Schmidt followed with a single. Weaver fanned Lamar Wade and Joc Pederson but Flores struck again with a three-run home run to left center to tie the game. Weaver was hit with a line drive from Michael Conforto. Weaver had to leave the game after he was drilled on his left arm. Alex Young struck out Mike Yastrzemski to send the game to the bottom of the third.

Sean Manaea took over for the Giants. 

TJ Friedl bunted for a hit and moved to second on a ground out. Fraley was hit by a pitch. Both runners took off and Manaea had a play on Friedl but threw the ball away. Friedl scored and Fraley ended up on third. Jonathan India grounded to short. Fraley running on contact was thrown out at the plate. Joey Votto struck out but the Reds led 5-4.

Derek Law entered to start the fifth.

The Giants scored three runs with two outs. Luis Matos hit a one-out single. With two outs Flores walked. Conforto singled to tie the score. Yastrzemski doubled to clear the bases and the Giants took a 7-5 lead.

David Bell brought in Daniel Duarte, who got out of the inning.

Manaea went out to pitch for his third inning. Elly De la Cruz singled to open the fifth. McLain walked with one out. Bell sent Encarnacion-Strand to pinch hit for Fraley but Gabe Kapler brought right handed Mauricio Llovera to face Encarnacion-Strand. Llovera got ahead 0-2 but the rookie hit his first career home run 426 feet into the upper deck in left field to give the lead back to the Reds.

"I played with Christian and Elly and Matt McLain down there (at Louisville during rehab)," Votto said. "It doesn't surprise me. I've seen too many of them. Two strike home runs are really tough. It was a beautiful swing. These guys are getting better all the time. They really want to get better. They want to change the national perception of the Cincinnati Reds and they're doing it."

The Giants tied the game with the help of an error in the sixth. Wisely singled to open the inning. Schmidt struck out. Matos his a ground ball near second base the De la Cruz fielded. His flip to McLain was dropped. Buck Farmer walked Pederson to load the bases. Flores drove in his fifth run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right but Votto cut it off and threw Matos out at third to end the inning.

The Reds bullpen got wild in the seventh. Farmer walked Yastrzemski with one out. Davis struck out but Blake Sabol singled. Tony Santillan, who was brought up as the 27th man, he walked Wisely and Schmidt to force in a run. Matos singled to score to more.

McLain and Encarnacion-Strand greeted Jakob Junis with singles but Jonathan India hit into a double play. Votto hit his eighth home run of the season and 350th of his career to cut the Giants lead to one run. It was the Reds fourth home run of the game. Spencer Steer singled after he barely missed a home run that hooked foul. 

Friedl made a leaping catch at the fence with two on and two out on  a bid for an extra base hit by Patrick Bailey.

"It was a great game in a lot of ways. Unfortunately, we came up short," Bell said. "It was a tough day for us as a team."

 

 

Giants Down Reds In 10 Innings

The San Francisco Giants stretched their winning streak to six games and extended the Reds losing streak to five games with a 4-2 extra inning win.

Joc Pederson doubled home the automatic runner and scored on a fielder's choice to provide the win for San Francisco.

The Reds got another quality start. This time Brandon Williamson pitched six strong innings. He only gave up four hits but two left the GABP playing field.

Austin Slater hit his fourth home run in the third inning and Wilmer Flores clocked his ninth of the season in the sixth inning.

Matt McLain got to Logan Webb for his eighth home run with two outs in the first inning. Webb is coming off a shutout of the Colorado Rockies on Sunday before the All-Star break. 

The slumping Reds had just three hits against Webb until Jonathan India launched his 14th home run to tie the game. It was India's third hit of the game. He singled in the second, doubled in the fourth.

Fernando Cruz followed Williamson to the mound for the Reds and pitched a scoreless seventh inning. When Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced Joc Pederson to pinch hit, David Bell countered with lefty Alex Young.

Young walked Pederson and Flores doubled to put runners on second and third. Young retired Michael Conforto on a one-hope ground out to Joey Votto at first as the runners held.

The grounds crew came out to put the tarp on the field with runners on second and third with one out in the top of the eighth.

The game was suspended after a 1:55 rain delay. It will resume at 5:40 Tuesday.

Lucas Sims started on the mound when play resumed at 5:41, inheriting runners on second and third with one out. He struck out pinch hitter Lamont Wade Jr. Sims hit Patrick Bailey with a pitch to load the bases but struck out Brett Wisely. 

The Reds were retired in order by Ryan Walker in the eighth.

Alexis Diaz came in to pitch the ninth.

"When you're tied in the ninth inning at home, I would bring in Diaz 100 times out of 100. That's an opportunity to win a game," Bell said.

Diaz pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

Elly De la Cruz walked to open the ninth inning against submarine pitcher, Tyler Rogers. De la Cruz stole second on a disputed call in which he was called out originally.  But Rogers picked him off second. TJ Friedl and McLain were retired to send the game to the 10th inning.

"Elly had a great at bat and great stolen base. He got picked off. We learn from that. I'm very proud of how our players, how hard they're working. We will continue to take that same approach. No matter what happens on the field we'll move forward. There's no other choice," said Bell, who has seen his team win a lot of games with aggressive base running.

"You have to stay aggressive. You can't be fearful."

Reds Game Suspended Until 5:40 Tuesday Before Regular 7:10 Game

The Reds got another quality start. This time Brandon Williamson pitched six strong innings. He only gave up four hits but two left the GABP playing field.

Austin Slater hit his fourth home run in the third inning and Wilmer Flores clocked his ninth of the season in the sixth inning.

Matt McLain got to Logan Webb for his eighth home run with two outs in the first inning. Webb is coming off a shutout of the Colorado Rockies on Sunday before the All-Star break. 

The slumping Reds had just three hits against Webb until Jonathan India launched his 14th home run to tie the game. It was India's third hit of the game. He singled in the second, doubled in the fourth.

Fernando Cruz followed Williamson to the mound for the Reds and pitched a scoreless seventh inning. When Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced Joc Pederson to pinch hit, David Bell countered with lefty Alex Young.

Young walked Pederson and Flores doubled to put runners on second and third. Young retired Michael Conforto on a one-hope ground out to Joey Votto at first as the runners held.

The grounds crew came out to put the tarp on the field with runners on second and third with one out in the top of the eighth.

The game was suspended after a 1:55 rain delay. It will resume at 5:40 Tuesday.

Another Rookie Sensation Christian Encarnacion-Strand Or CES Makes Jump To Big Time

 

While fans lamented the trading of Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, Tyler Mahle, Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo, the Reds obtained the services of some big time talent with no name recognition.

That is changing as the Reds have improved the team from within with Andrew Abbott, Elly De la Cruz, Matt McLain and now Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

He leads the International League with 177 total bases, fourth among all minor league players. He is second with 65 runs scored, second with 43 extra-base hits, fourth with a .637 slugging percentage, fifth with a 1.042 OPS, fifth with 20 home runs, sixth with 62 RBI, seventh with a .331 batting average and hits 92.

CES had a good spring in Goodyear before being sent to minor league camp.

The Reds put Kevin Newman on the 10-day Injured List with gastritis.

"He's played well. He deserved a shot with Kevin on the injured list, it was the perfect time to bring him up," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. "He made adjustments over the last couple of months. He cut his chase rate from 49 1/2 to 38 1/2 percent which is huge getting it down to that in the middle of the season. He is taking better at bats with that he's still shown power."

"He has been able to hit outside of the zone but cutting down his chase rate brought the zone more to him. It allowed him to get better at the Triple A level."

Encarnacion-Strand came to the Reds from Minnesota with Spencer Steer and LHP Steve Hajjar for Tyler Mahle on August 2, 2022.

"It means a lot," said the 23-year old native of Walnut Creek, California. "Now I get to play with a really, really good group of guys. The guys have been always welcoming. The same thing in spring training, the were super, super nice to me. I don't feel pressure or anxiety to go in there with them."

CES made the jump from Double A to Triple A this season. He played at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona as well as Oklahoma State University.

"I had to remind myself, it's a game," said Encarnacion-Strand who will wear number 33 with just Encarnacion on the back of the jersey. 

"I learned that I couldn't get caught up in, I need to go up. I need to go up. I learned to focus on your game, keep my head down and work hard. When the time is right, the time will come."

Encarnacion-Strand played third base and a couple of games in the outfield.

He will be the designated hitter against San Francisco's Logan Webb batting seventh. Encarnacion-Strand will be the 12th player to make his Major League debut for the Reds this season.

 

Brewers Rally To Sweep Series

The Milwaukee Brewers with a key hit by former Red Jesse Winker rallied to beat the Reds 4-3. 

Four straight losses to the NL Central leading Brewers put the Reds behind by two games in the standings.

"You just move on. It was a tough series," David Bell said. "They played us tough back in Milwaukee too. You keep it to what it is. You can't make too much of it. They played great. We struggled this weekend. There is not question about that. We've been good offensively all year. We will get back on track."

"I think (sweep) will fire us up more," Lively said. "When we play them the next time. We're not going to let it happen again for sure."

The Reds' broke a 28-inning scoring drought in the second inning. Jonathan India singled on a 3-2 pitch and scored on Joey Votto's double to left center. 

"Scoring runs after a few games can seem like a really long time. Getting back on the board was great. There were definitely signs. It was a good day in that respect. It felt like the kind of game where typically we keep scoring. We weren't able to do that. It made it tough on our bullpen for sure," Bell said.

Milwaukee starter, Adrian Houser, struck out Spencer Steer on a close pitch to extend Steer's slump to 22 at bats without a hit. The call by Edwin Jimenez prompted argument from David Bell, who was ejected for the fifth time this season.

The ejection is the 25th of Bell's career matching his uniform number.

Christian Yelich homered for the second straight day to tie the score in the third. It was Yelich's 13th home run of the year. The last four runs for the Brewers have scored on solo home runs.

Jake Fraley followed Matt McLain's second hit of the game with his 12th home run of the season as the Reds regained the lead in the bottom of the third.

Ben Lively the Reds' starter allowed the Yelich home run but only two other hits. He felt discomfort before completing the fourth inning. The Reds elected to bring in Derek Law to start the fifth inning.

"I threw up a little bit. I was a little dehydrated or something.  I hit me real quick. We were just being a little precautionary. I tried to stay in. We went the smart route. I cramped up a lot of little things added up," Lively said. "I was trying to stay in. They were being smart about it for sure. I like to play smart when other people tell me too."

The Brewers closed the gap against Law. A single by Andrew Monasterio and a walk to Brice Turang set up a run scoring single by Yelich. 

Freddie Benevides went to Ian Gibaut, who got William Contreras to line into a double play.

The Reds put two on with two outs against Houser. Steer singled off the glove of Monasterio at third for his first hit in 23 at bats. Brewer manager Craig Counsell brought in Bryse Wilson from the bullpen.

Wilson sent the game into the seventh when Tyler Stephenson flied out.

Lucas Sims bailed out Fernando Cruz who walked two with two outs, getting the hot hitting Contreras to fly out.

The Brewers tied the game against Sims in the eighth. Willie Adames walked to start the inning. Jesse Winker singled off the base of the right field wall putting Adames on third with no outs when TJ Friedl tried to throw Adames out from the warning track. Owen Miller hit a sacrifice fly to center and pinch runner Tyrone Taylor took second base. Taylor represented the go-ahead run. The smart play would have been for Friedl to throw to second base.

"TJ was trying to make a play, Bell said. "We encourage our outfielders. We encourage all of our defenders to make plays. To not be fearful of not making plays. In that situation, If he had to do it over again, he makes the throw to second base and tries to keep the runner at first. So TJ will learn from that. He's such a smart player. He does so many things right on the baseball field. He will definitely learn from that."

Alexis Diaz, who last pitched on Tuesday in the All-Star game, came into the game. He got Raimel Tapia to fly out. Monasterio put the Brewers ahead with a single to right. Diaz struck out Turang to end the inning.

Devin Williams, the Brewers All-Star closer, picked up his 23 save of the year.

"He (Lively) is pitching great," Bell said. "Unfortunately, we had to do the smart thing there and get him out of the game. The heat got to him and if you ask him, he would say he could keep going. We did the right thing for Ben but it was definitely a factor in the game, having to go to our bullpen that early."

Brewers Pitchers Throttle Reds Again Solo Homers Provide The Margin

Andrew Abbott was hit hard for the first time in his young career in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. He gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings after allowing only five total in his first six starts.

Christian Yelich led off the game with his 12th home run of the season. William Contreras and Owen Miller also hit home runs with the bases empty, Miller's coming off Buck Farmer.

"(Yelich) just ambushed a fastball the first pitch of the game," Abbott said. "I didn't think it was going to get out. It did. You just have to bear down and don't let them score more than one in an inning, if you can."

The 3-0 score allowed Milwaukee to open a slim one-game lead on the Reds in the National League Central as they have now won seven of the nine games played between the two teams with four more to go. The last three will be played in Milwaukee.

Brewers starters Wade Miley and Corbin Burnes shutout the Reds twice in two straight games that spanned the All-Star game. 

Freddy Peralta followed suit with six shutout innings allowing just an infield hit to Jake Fraley. Elvis Peguero pitched a scoreless seventh that kept the Reds off the scoreboard for 25 straight innings.

Joel Payamps added the Reds' 26th straight scoreless frame.

All-Star Devin Williams pitched the ninth to earn his 22nd save by striking out two to run the Brewers' total to 12 for the game.

"Each guy's different," David Bell said. "They've had some great starts against us. The got deep in the game and the three guys they are running out there at the end of the game are really, really good. They are executing. Peralta, tonight, did a nice job of pitching backwards. He got ahead with his off speed pitches. He had a really good fastball, slider. He was able to mix in the change up. You have to give them credit. We're not getting a lot of pitches to hit."

The Reds wasted three good starts by their starting pitchers, who allowed just four runs over the three games. The Reds' bullpen was nicked for just one run in three games.

"Andrew did a nice job," Bell said. "He adjusted. I think early they were able to get to his fastball, maybe not his best fastball. That's what pitching is all about. He was able to go to his slider, go to his breaking ball. I think he relied pretty heavily on that tonight for a night he didn't have his best fastball. Against that team it was a really good start."

Abbott was unconcerned his efforts were wasted and took the loss like a veteran rather than the rookie he is.

"I don't think there is a lot of pressure involved (team not scoring runs behind him). I mean, these guys are hard at work," Abbott said. "This is just a tip of the cap to the Brewers pitching staff so far. Our guys are putting in the work, taking BP, doing everything they can. Sometimes you got it. Sometimes you don't but they're going to figure it out."

Bell wants his hitters to trust the process and gave all the credit to Brewer's pitching.

"You just keep working," Bell said. "There's no question, we'll break through. You really have to look at what we've been up against the last couple nights too. These guys (Brewers pitchers) are executing their pitches. You just keep working at it, keep battling. We know we'll break through."

Brewers Blank Reds To Tie For NL Central Lead

 

The Reds and Milwaukee Brewers ended the first half of the season with a pitcher's duel. The second half began the same way. The Brewers tied the Reds for first place in the National League Central Division with its second consecutive 1-0 shutout.

Milwaukee scored in the first inning last Sunday and former Red Wade Miley and the Brewers bullpen made it stand up.

Corbin Burnes, who won the Cy Young Award in 2021, struck out 13 Reds' batters through six innings.

"He (Burnes) definitely has good stuff," DAvid Bell said. "He has great stuff. He did it a little bit different than he did in Milwaukee. He threw more breaking balls. I think that led to a lot of his success tonight. Obviously, he has a good fastball but thought. He used the breaking ball more to day and I think that helped him."

Burnes beat the Reds last Friday with six innings of two-run baseball.

Graham Ashcraft, the Reds starter struck out just two but the pitcher's duel lasted into the seventh inning.

"I felt pretty good, Ashcraft said. "I felt there were a lot of things I was doing really well, early on. Sometimes mechanics got a little out of whack but I made a quick fix on them."

 "I was able to find that rhythm with my arm and my mechanics (the last three starts). Things started to clean up. I've started to pound the zone a lot more. That's something we've started to get after to make sure that rhythm stays going."

Ashcraft started the season with six quality starts but hit a rough spot that ballooned his ERA to 7.17 until the last three starts, including tonight. He's given up just three runs in his last 18 2/3 innings over three starts.

"Graham is kind of back to where he was at the beginning of the season," Bell said. "I thought he had good movement, going both ways with his fastball. Tonight I think the slider was the difference for him. He gets it set up by having a good fastball. I thought he really located his slider and had a good break on it. It doesn't get much better than that. He was very efficient. Not throwing many pitches, kind of what we've seen Graham do when he's really good."

The closest either team came to scoring was the third inning. Joey Weimer walked and went to second on a ground out. Spencer Steer fielded William Contreras single and threw Weimer out at the plate to end the inning.

The Brewers opened the seventh against Ashcraft with a double by Willy Adames and a single by Owen Miller that sent Adames to third with no outs.

"The slider to Adames wasn't a bad pitch when he hit the double but it just wasn't executed," Ashcraft said. "If it was executed, it probably been strike three, a chase but you never know."

Lucas Sims entered to try to keep the game scoreless, facing Victor Caratini.

Miller stole second and advanced to third on Caratini's RBI single. Sims struck out Andruw Monasterio. Brice Turang struck out swinging. Jesse Winker pinch hit for Tyrone Taylor. Winker walked to load the bases. Weimer popped out to first to keep the game 1-0.

Adames missed his 17th home run by inches with two out in the eighth but his drive was just foul. Derek Law struck him out.

Reds batters struck out 18 times and managed just two hits against Burnes, Peguero, Joel Payamps and Devin Williams,who finished off the home team. It was Williams 21st save in 23 tries.

Tyler Stephenson Homers To Power Reds After Andrew Abbott's Gem

Tyler Stephenson pinch hit for Joey Votto with two outs in the eighth to power the Reds to a series winning 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

After the Padres hit two home runs in the top of the inning, Tom Cosgrove got the first two batters out in the bottom of the frame. Pinch hitter Stuart Fairchild, recalled this morning, drew a walk. Stephenson's sixth home run put the Reds on top.

"In the situation," Stephenson said. "You've got to be aggressive. I happened to get a pitch I could handle and I could drive and it was good to see it go over the fence. It's obviously huge. I don't know really how to describe that it was huge and a really cool experience."

Alexis Diaz, who blew his first save in 23 tries on Friday, came in to nail it down, allowing one run.  

"It is all because of this team that I've been having the success I've had," Diaz said. "They've giving me the confidence to go out there in the ninth and pitch well. I've also gained a lot of confidence in myself. I've been able to control my emotions when I'm on mound. It's giving me the results I've needed to do."

The Reds hadn't won a series against the Padres since August 2019.

The Padres needed to replace Yu Darvish, who is down with a virus. They chose left handed reliever, Adrian Morejon to face the Reds' hottest pitcher Andrew Abbott.

A pair of double plays turned by Gold Glover third baseman, Manny Machado, allowed Morejon to finish three scoreless innings. Tim Hill took over in the fourth.

Hill retired the first two batters in the fourth but he hit Joey Votto with a pitch. Spencer Steer hit his 14th home run, 441 feet into the second deck in leftfield. Steer improved his RBI total to 50 tying him with Jake Fraley for the team lead.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto singled back-to-back with one out in the first inning. Abbott retired the next 15 batters before he walked Ha-Seong Kim. Matt McLain made a diving stop of Tatis grounder up the middle and gloved a toss to Jonathan India to force Kim. Soto hit his second single but Machado fouled out to Fraley in right.

Abbott struck out Nelson Cruz and Trent Grisham to start the eighth inning but Kim hit his 10th home run of the season to cut the lead in half.

Abbott pitched his longest outing, 7 2/3 innings with four hits and a walk. He struck out a career-high 12 batters. It is the longest outing by a Reds' pitcher this season.

"It was a steady mix. All four of my pitches were in the zone early. Then diving out late," Abbott said. "I felt really good from the get go. I just had to go out and execute and hit my spots."

"Strikeouts speak to your stuff. It is a self awareness thing. I love them. It's the best result for me. I have really good stuff if I can K 12 Major League guys. Going deep in the game is just as important."

"Strikeouts speak to your stuff. It is a self awareness thing. I love them. It's the best result for me. I have really good stuff if I can K 12 Major League guys. Going deep in the game is just as important."

There is not question that Abbott has the ability to pitch in the big leagues but his mental toughness comes in an understated confidence.

"He (Abbott) hasn't changed a thing," Bell said. "He came in here he believes in himself. He respects the league. He respects his opponents. He respects his place in the clubhouse but he also knows what he's capable of. He's not going to back down. He's worked hard on his pitches and all that. But it's a mindset."

Lucas Sims came in to face Tatis with two outs. Tatis hit his 16th home run to deny Abbott the win. It was the second set of back-to-back home runs in two games. Sims was charged with a blown save. 

The Reds won 16 of the last 20 games with seven remaining before the All-Star break. There has been a different hero every game, it seems. Today, Stephenson bats in place of a Hall of Fame player and comes through. That is after a player, who was sent to Louisville 10 days ago gets called back and finds a way to get on base with two outs.

"That's what a team is all about," Bell said. "It's not the same guy every day. It's been a lot of guys playing well for sure. It's not going to be your day every single day. It is not only the guys in the lineup where it is the next man up mentality. It is also the guys staying ready. It's not easy at all pinch hitting. Give him a lot of credit to hit a pinch hit home run to win a game. It is very special. It definitely we're continuing to do things we need to do."

Padres Struggling Stars Find Their Power Stroke To Take Down Reds

The star studded but struggling San Diego Padres found some power in a 12-5 win that snapped their six-game losing streak and the Reds three-game winning streak.

Juan Soto and Manny Machado took Buck Farmer deep in the sixth inning breaking a 1-1 tie. Machado added his 11th in the seventh inning.

Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled inside the first base bag to score Trent Grisham, who walked in the third inning against Brandon Williamson. 

The Reds got the run back when Matt McLain's second double of the game with two outs scored Tyler Stephenson, who walked off Michael Wacha.

Williamson pitched into the sixth inning but was removed after Austin Nola led off with a single. David Bell brought Buck Farmer into the game. Ha-Seong Kim reached on an error by Elly De la Cruz. Juan Soto hit his 15th home run to give the Padres a three-run lead. Manny Machado followed with his 10th home run.

"I looked up and saw 60 pitches in the third," Williamson said. "I thought, man I have to get some ground balls early. I threw some quality pitches to the heart of that lineup too in the fourth. The early ground balls were really what we were after."

Williamson allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in his five innings. He struck out five.

"What Brandon Williamson was able to do for us today," Bell said. "That was one of our best starts of the year against that lineup. He used all of his pitches, five or six of them. He really was effective with his cutter and his fastball. It was just a great start."

"Then we go to Buck there. He's been so good for us all year. He'll be fine. He'll bounce back. He's been pitching a lot, like the other guys. He got behind Soto and threw one of his best pitches. Soto put a nice swing on it. Give him credit as well."

Wacha gave the ball to Tom Cosgrove. Wacha pitched five innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

The Padres picked up five runs off Alec Mills in the seventh inning, aided by a throwing error. The inning included Machado's second home run of the game. 

The Reds got back in the game against hard throwing Luis Garcia. Will Benson singled for his second hit in between walks to Stephenson and McLain. Jonathan India unloaded the bases with his second career grand slam off the batter's eye in centerfield. It is his 11th home run of the season. 

"You guys have seen it. It's been a tough month for me. At the same time I've always said, I don't care about results," India said. "To me if you're results driven. If you care about results and you're losing sleep over results, you won't perform in this game. I learned that my rookie year and last year. This year I told myself, hey, as long as I play the game the right way. I play this game hard. I don't give up. I fight every at bat. I stick to my process and execute my plan. There's nothing more I can do. The results are not in my hands. I can only control so much in this game. It's part of the process." 

"The grand slam was awesome. I put a good swing on the ball. I had a good swing the at bat before to right field. I had a good walk. It is part of my process my plan. I executed well today."

Eduardo Salazar hit Trent Grisham and Nola. They scored on sacrifice flies from Tatis Jr. and Soto.