Brady Singer Sharp As Reds Sweep Rays Close In On Wild Card

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds scored two in the first inning and Brady Singer made them stand up in a 2-1 game that completed a sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The win put the Reds a season-high six games over .500, 56-50.

The reeling Rays dropped to 53-53 as they head to New York to play the Yankees.

TJ Friedl singled off Shane Baz to open the inning. Matt McLain singled over the shortstop's head for a single. Elly De La Cruz struck out swinging. Austin Hays hit a slow roller up the middle that rolled under the glove of Taylor Walls at short. A heads up play by Friedl allowed him to continue around third to score. McLain and Hays pulled a double steal. McLain scored on a slow roller to first by Gavin Lux.

"They understand that's how we have to play," Terry Francona said after winning career game 2,006. "We didn't hit the cover off the ball but we kept our heads up and put pressure on them on the bases."

Brady Singer kept the Rays quiet for seven innings. He struck out Tristan Gray to open the eighth but Taylor Walls hit his fourth home run of the season to make it a one-run game. It ended Singer's day.

Singer pitched a season-high 7 1/3 innings, allowed one run on three hits and one walk. He struck out eight. 

A pair of his teammates held the slim lead to allow Singer to snap a personal four-game losing streak and even his record at 8-8, dropping his season ERA to 4.60.

"I was happy to get ahead of guys and pitch deep in the game," Singer said.

A key moment came early. Speedster Chandler Simpson singled to start the game but Jose Trevino stopped his attempt at his 33rd stolen base.

"It was cool for me and was probably cool for him," Singer said.

Tony Santillan come on to keep the score right there. He recorded the last two outs.

Emilio Pagan entered with a slim one-run lead, facing the heart of the Rays batting order which he handled in order for his 22 save in 25 tries.

"To be able to pitch three days in a row, you have to prepare your body," Pagan said. "What DJ (pitching coach Derek Johnson) has talked to us about is controlling our emotions. Both Tony and I get pumped up pretty easily. We both love throwing fastballs and so we try not to get too excited and don't want to be pulling the ball down in the zone." 

Reds are one game behind the San Diego Padres for the final Wild Card spot.