Five Home Runs Help Toronto Erase Reds Five Run Lead

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds scored five runs in the second inning but five home runs to send the Toronto Blue Jays 13-9 win. It was their 42nd come-from-behind win of the season.

The loss sent the Reds back to .500 at 70-70 and with 22 games left remain five games behind their next opponent the New York Mets for the final playoff spot.

The Reds jumped on Shane Bieber who is in his third game back from "Tommy John" surgery.

Austin Hays singled to open the inning. Gavin Lux forced him at second. Spencer Steer singled Lux to third. Ke'Bryan Hayes walked to load the bases. Jose Trevino singled up the middle to score two runs. Matt McLain also singled up the middle to plate another run. TJ Friedl was robbed of an extra base hit on a diving catch by Addison Barger in right but Noelvi Marte doubled in the gap in right center to score two more runs and give the Reds a 5-0 lead.

Reds' starter Zack Littell struck out five of the first seven Blue Jay batters. Andres Gimenez singled up the middle but Ernie Clement hit a hard ground ball to Elly De La Cruz, who turned it into a double play. George Springer hit his 27 home run of the season with two outs to make it, 5-1.

"I thought that he had good finish on his fastball," Terry Francona said. "That sets up his split. Then one, two, we just couldn't keep them in the ballpark and after that couldn't keep them off the scoreboard."

Littell has allowed 31 home run this season. He started the game one behind Jake Irvin of the Washington Nationals for the most home runs allowed in baseball this season. Daulton Varsho put Littell ahead of Irvin with his 19th home run and Alezandro Kirk followed with his 12th home run. Littell allowed Totonto three solo home runs the last time he faced them on May 15.

"I started grooving every thing and they put some good swings on pitches but overall, I wasn't very good," Littell said. "We put up five runs early. In that spot, I've got to be better."

Springer singled in the fifth and scored on Barger's 19th home run, the fourth against Littell of the game, tied the game at, 5-5.

Guerrero greeted Nick Marinez who relived Littell with his 22nd home run to give Toronto a lead.

Sacrifice flies in the sixth and seventh extended the Blue Jays lead to three runs.

Marte drove in his third run of the game with a two-out single in the seventh. McLain, who reached on an error, scored to cut the Totonto lead to 8-6.

The Blue Jays put the game away with four runs against Lyon Richardson and Yosver Zulueta in the eighth. 

The Reds gave fans hope with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Steer, Will Benson and McLain hit RBI doubles to keep Toronto within three.

Zach Maxwell gave up a single to Clement and a two-out RBI double to Guerrero in the ninth inning to provide the final margin.