Reds Figure Out How To Score Runs

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Eureka!!!!

The Reds scored more runs in the first inning than they scored off the Chicago White Sox in the first two games of this series on the way to a 7-1 win.

"I think we all needed that. Now we have to back it up. That's part of the game but enjoy it today," Terry Francona said.

Gavin Lux walked against White Sox' starter, Bryse Wilson. Santiago Espinal bunted for a hit and Elly De La Cruz hit a flair down the left field line to load the bases with no outs. Austin Hays plated Lux with a fly out to deep center. Will Benson singled home two runs to put the Reds ahead, 3-0.

Nick Martinez mowed down the first 13 batters before Matt Thaiss singled. 

"Because they had to respect all of his pitches, he was able to keep his fastballs of their barrels a lot," Francona said. "He was really impressive."

Elly De La Cruz homered to left field off Wilson for his eighth home run of the season, leading off the third inning. 

Benson hit his first home run of the season in the fifth inning."

He's making the most of his opportunity," Francona said. "When we sent him down (minor leagues), we told him go play. You'll get a chance. That's the way the game is."

"When I went down, it let me lock down my routine and do what I can," Benson said.

The Reds scored a run on a force out hit by Lux, scoring Matt McLain, who doubled. 

McLain hit his sixth home run in the sixth inning.

Martinez finished seven innings, allowing two singles as the only base runners for the White Sox for the day. He has not walked a batter in his last three starts.

"It's part of my game, attacking the zone and challenging hitters," Martinez said. "I was able to locate my fastball, change speeds, read bats."

Taylor Rogers took over in the eighth. He gave up a run.

Louis Mey struck out two in a perfect ninth.