Gavin Sheets Shrouds The Reds With Extra Base Hits To Even The Series

 

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The San Diego Padres hit three home runs to turn a three-run deficit into a 6-4 win to even the series at a game apiece. 

The Reds wasted another fine start by Andrew Abbott as the bullpen surrendered five run in the sixth and seventh. 

The Reds jumped on San Diego starter Randy Vasquez in the first inning. TJ Friedl walked but was picked off by Vasquez. Matt McLain singled up the middle. Elly De La Cruz popped out to third baseman Manny Machado. Spencer Steer singled McLain to third. Gavin Lux drove in the run with a single to left.

The Reds added two runs in the second inning. Rece Hinds and Santiago Espinal single to put runners on the corner with one out. Friedl and McLain hit back-to-back RBI singles. 

Reds new ace, Andrew Abbott, held the Padres scoreless through three innings on two hits and a walk. In the fourth Abbott pitched out of a jam.

With one out XanderBogaerts singled. Gavin Sheets hit a catchable line drive to right that Hinds, allowed over his head for a double with Bogaerts to third. Abbott walked former Red Jose Iglesias to load the bases. Jake Cronenworth hit a line drive right to Will Benson in left field. Benson made a quick hard throw to Espinal the cutoff man and Bogaerts held third. Martin Maldonado hit a ground ball to a diving McLain at second who easily threw out the slow running catcher to end the threat. 

Luis Arraez, who won his third straight batting title in 2024, hit his fourth home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning. Arraez' three tittles were with the Minnesota Twins in 2022, the Miami Marlins in 2023 and San Diego last season.

Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. singled with one out but Abbott struck out Bogaerts and Sheets grounded out weakly to Steer at first. 

The Reds got the run back in the bottom of the fifth. De La Cruz opened with a walk. Steer popped up to third base. Third baseman, Machado let it drop to force, De La Cruz at second base. Lux doubled Steer to third. Tyler Stephenson hit sacrifice fly to deep right center to score Steer with the fourth Reds' run. Hinds was robbed of an extra base hit when Sheets made a diving catch in left.

Abbott finished with five innings, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four.

"It was a grind. I could have executed better. I was having a hard time getting, strike one. DJ and I were aware of it," Abbott said. "I got better in the fourth and fifth inning. I knew the bullpen was rested and they have been good all year. They just had a bad day. They'll be back again tomorrow."

Scott Barlow relieved a gassed Abbott. Iglesias opened the inning with a single to right. Cronenworth launched his seventh hom run of the season into the right field stands. Barlow retired the last three batters of the inning to keep the slim lead at, 4-3.

Lyon Richardson started the seventh. Merrill led of the inning with a double. Tatis flied deep to right. Bogaerts walked and Sheets hit his 13th home run. It was Sheets third extra base hit to go with two doubles.

Padres closer Robert Suarez walked Friedl and De La Cruz in the ninth but he struck out Steer to end the game.