Royals To Rip Reds In Ninth With Michael Massey Hit And Nick Loftin Homer

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Tony Santillan continued to struggle giving up three ninth inning runs to allow the Kansas City Royals to take the series with a 5-2 win over the Reds.

Santillan came on in the ninth inning. Jac Castiglione singled to open the inning. Tyler Tolbert ran for him. Isaac Collins bunted Tolbert to second. Michael Massey finished a 10-pitch at bat and hit a run-scoring single. Nick Loftin followed with his first home run of the season. Santillan walked Lane Thomas then left the game.

"He didn't locate his fastball where he wanted to," Terry Francona explained Santillan's outing. "At times his breaking ball has kind of been in and out. I think his fastball is becoming more consistent. We're at the point where we need some stability so much. He's the guy. We're going to have to figure that out. Do we pick our spots a little bit? We tried to do that a little bit before but with every body going down. That's been a little bit more difficult."

The Reds bullpen is missing Emilio Pagan, Graham Ashcraft and Pierce Johnson.

Chase Burns and Stephen Kolek hooked up in a pitcher's duel in the deciding game of the three-game series.

The Royals got on the scoreboard first. 

Bobby Witt Jr. walked with on out and Vinnie Pasquantino put his sixth home run onto the Royals bullpen screen in right field against Burns, who sat out two games with the flu.

Blake Dunn drove his second home run of the season into the left field stands, following a single by Matt McLain. Will Benson started the inning off Kolek with a bunt single but Tyler Stephenson grounded into a double play on a 3-2 pitch.

Burns settled in and handcuffed the Royals on two hits over the next five innings and struck out nine batters.

"DJ said even when he warmed up, he looked a little sluggish," Francona said. "He gave up the home run. That took the sluggishness away. He was pissed. He's coming off being sick. They're so routine oriented but he's ok."

Burns made his ninth straight start with two runs or fewer allowed.

"I felt good. I was trying to get my bearings back," Burns said. "It was a little weird but I'm ok. After walking Bobby (Witt Jr.) and giving up the bomb when you kind of miss your spot, yeah I was kind of pissed off."

Sal Stewart opened the sixth with a double but committed a base running blunder, getting caught off base on a ground ball up the middle from Nathaniel Lowe. Eugenio Suarez flied out. Spencer Steer reached base in his 22nd consecutive game with a walk. Benson flied out to left. 

Left hander Caleb Ferguson entered the game in the seventh inning.

Burns line was six innings, two runs, four hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.

Ferguson retired all four batters he faced with Jensen striking out as his last batter. Tejay Antone entered with the bases empty, one out, facing Witt Jr. as the first batter. Witt fouled out to Stephenson. Pasquantino singled in a nine-pitch at bat but Antone struck out Salvador Perez.

Pinch hitter Dane Myers doubled off Royals reliever Daniel Lynch IV with two outs in the eighth. Myers is tied for Major League lead with six pinch hits. 

Zach McCambley, made his first Major League appearance, taking Santillan's place on the mound in the ninth. He struck out Jansen, the first batter he faced. Witt Jr. singled Thomas to third. The Reds intentionally walked Pasquantino. McCambley struck out future Hall of Fame catcher Perez to end the inning. 

Alex Lange relieved in the ninth for Kansas City. Steer greeted him with a double that extended his hitting streak to seven game. Lange struck out Benson and pinch hitter Edwin Arroyo. Pinch hitter Noelvi Marte walked in his first at bat back from Louisville. Dunn ended the game with a flyout to center.

Rhett Lowder To Start Sunday Chris PaddackPa Goes To Bullpen

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds top pick in the 2023 draft Rhett Lowder has put his aching right shoulder behind him.

Last night he threw 70 pitches in five innings against the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday night. He allowed three runs on four hits. He issued no walks an area that had become a problem and struck out eight.

"He did fine," Terry Francona said. "He is going to stay in Memphis and work out today and meet us in St. Louis. He will be in the rotation Sunday. Paddack will be in the bullpen tonight."

Lowder was 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in his first six starts, He walked just 10 batters in his first 34 innings and struck out 25,

His last two were polar opposites.

Lowder pitched just 4 1/3 innings in his last two starts. He was 0-2 with a gaudy 22.85 ERA. His eight walks with just two strikeouts was evidence something was wrong. 

The Reds put him on the 15-day injured list on May 13. He missed four starts. It was Paddack that took his place until he was ready.

Paddack was signed on May 13 and plugged into the rotation. He was 0-2 in three starts with a 5.40 ERA. He walked seven and struck out eight in 15 innings.

The last time Paddack pitched out of the bullpen was for the Miami Marlins on April 5 at Yankee Stadium. He pitched 4 1/3 innings with one unearned run on three hits but he walked four and struckout four.

Paddack has 10 relief appearances in his career. He has a 1-0 record and one save. He has a 5.55 ERA out of the bullpen. His win in relief was as a member of the Minnesota Twins on September 30, 2023 with three scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies. His save was on September 9 as a member of the Detroit Tigers, another scoreless three innings at Yankee Stadium.

TJ Freidl Sent To Find Himself Noelvi Marte Is Found

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds ran out of patience with TJ Friedl but not faith.

The team came to the painful decision that Friedl, who lost his starting job to Blake Dunn over the last few weeks, was sent to Louisville to find himself. He was not able to find his mojo on the bench.

Friedl, last season's leadoff hitter played in 39 of the team's first 43 games but just eight of the last 18, only five of those were starts. He is slashing just .179/.259/.256 with six doubles and two home runs.

Manager Terry Francona admitted that it was a difficult decision to send Friedl out, who played 72 games at the big league level in 2022 but just seven rehab games in the minor leagues since.

Last season Friedl hit .261 and set the table for the rest of the lineup with a .364 on-base-percentage and a .378 slugging percentage that produced, 22 doubles, two triples and 14 home runs, all while robbing several home runs from opponents.

"He'll get to play every day there and kind of rediscover being Friedl," Francona said. "He's not that far removed from bein out leadoff hitter. He has had some tough times and sitting the bench. We labored over it."

"The conversation with him is he's an unbelievable teammate," Francona continued. "This gives him the best chance."

Friedl was asked to pinch hit in the 10th inning against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. He is the best bunter on the team but fouled off his attempt before suffering a strike out that failed to advance the runner. Dunn, his replacement over the last 20 games or so, delivered the game winning hit. It was not the specific reason, Freidl was sent out but illustrated it.

"Friedl understood. He listened. He talked. Nothing we feel has changed about him," Francona said. "You don't want to jump the gun. You want to make sure, you're doing it for the right reasons. We felt like the time was right. He kind of owned up to it. He told us that it is hard for him to sit on the bench and find myself. He said, 'I'm agreeing with you' He was as respectfull as you would expect him to be. No one will be pulling for him, more than me."

He was sent to Triple A Louisville and the team recalled outfielder Noelvi Marte to take his place on the roster before the series finale with the Kansas City Royals.

Marte was sent down for the same reasons that Friedl is now.

He had a good spring and won the right field job but had just four hits in 11 games and struck out 10 times in 29 at bats. He is prone to chase pitches out of the strike zone. The Reds sent him down to work on plate discipline and feel that the work has earned him another chance.

"He (Marte) has been sent down a couple times and both times, he has responded really well. That's what you love to see," Francona said. "He obviously swung the bat very well in Louisville. Some guys come up and continue to swing it, like (JJ) Bleday. Others don't. I think every body is different"

Marte played 40 games since he was sent to Louisville. He slashed .369/.409/.575. He hit seven doubles, a triple, eight home runs and drove home 27 runs. More telling is that he walked 12 times and struck out 26. It is closer to a 2 to 1 ratio than the 10 to 1 when he was sent down.

"The hardest thing for us to gage is guys that chase, pay for it way more here," Francona said. "There is better finish on breaking balls. That's going to be a key with Marte."

Marte was in center field last night in Memphis playing for the Bats.

"The biggest thing I learned was to be consistent," Marte said through translater, Thomas Vera. "My plan was stay with the pitch, I was looking for. It doesn't matter if it was out of the zone or not, if I see what I like, I'm going to be ready and I'm going to hit it hard. There was a game against the Pirates (Indianapolis Indians). That Pirates team has really good talent. When I finished that series I felt I was ready. I'm back."

The series ended on May 15. Marte was 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.

"My mindset is to stay in the big leagues. When I was sent down. I blocked it out of my mind, the disappointment and told myself I have to get better," Marte said. 

TJ Friedl Sent To Minor Leagues Noelvi Marte Recalledo

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

 The Reds ran out of patience with TJ Friedl.

He was sent to Triple A Louisville and the team recalled outfielder Noelvi Marte to take his place on the roster before the series finale with the Kansas City Royals.

Chase Burns Returns Stephen Kolek Faces Reds

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Chase Burns is well again he will take his 7-1 record and 1.96 ERA which is fifth in MLB.

Burns won his last four decisions. He was 4-1 in May with a 1.19 ERA.

 This will be his first meeting with Kansas City.

Stephen Kolek is 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in five starts this season.

The 29-year old right hander was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round in the 2018 draft from Texas A&M University. 

He broke in with the San Diego Padres but was traded to Kansas City for Freddie Fermin at the trading deadline last season.

Kolek started 2026 in Triple A Omaha.  He made four starts there where he was 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA.

With Kansas City three of his five starts are quality starts. They include a 6 1/3 inning scoreless outing on May 17 against the St. Louis Cardinals and a complete game shutout on four hits  of the Seattle Mariners on May 23. His last outing was not as good. He gave up six runs, four earned in five innings. 

Kolek pitches to contact. He has walked just six batters in 31 innings but doesn’t strike out a lot either. He has 19 strikeouts. In his shutout against Seattle he stuck out just two of the 29 batters he faced.

He started a game against the Reds as a member of the San Diego Padres on June 29 last season. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits. He had five scoreless innings before Elly De La Cruz single off reliever Adrian Morejon to drive in Wll Benson.

Lineups Reds

Blake Dunn CF

JJ Bleday LF

Sal Stewart 1B

Nathaniel Lowe DH

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Spencer Steer 2B

Will Benson RF

Tyler Stephenson C

Matt McLain SS

Royals Lineup:

Carter Jensen C

Bobby Witt Jr. SS

Vinnie Pasquantio 1B

Salvador Perez DH

Jac Caglianone RF

Isaac Collins LF

Michael Massey 2B

Nick Loftin 3B

Kyle Isbell CF

Reds Walk Off Royals In 10 Innings Blake Dunn Does It Again

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Dateline: Cincinnati

The Reds made the most of its four hits, taking the Kansas City Royals to extra innings to take a 4-3 win and even the series.

Blake Dunn singled home ghost runner, Spencer Steer, who contributed two home runs to the cause against John Schreiber to complete a late winning rally. Dunn drove in the winning run in the last extra inning contest against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Royals were the last team to sweep the Reds at home August 16 through 18 in 2024. The Reds avoided a drop to the .500 mark and are now 31-29.

Noah Cameron allowed one lonely hit in seven innings and the Kansas City Royals bunched four hits around two walks to take an early lead.

"It was a real quiet night. If it wasn't Steer for awhile there, we had nothing. Their guy was kind of carving us up," Terry Francona said.

The Royals bullpen gave up a pair of home runs to send the game to extra innings.

The Royals broke up the three inning no-hitter when Salvador Perez singled. Veteran Starling Marte bunted for a single. With one out, Nick Loftin hit a single sharply to right to load the bases. Jac Caglianone bounced on off Abbott. Edwin Arroyo fielded it and got the out at first as Perez scored. Tyler Tolbert walked to reload the bases. Michael Massey singled up the middle for two more runs. He walked Lane Thomas but got All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. to foul out to Eugenio Suarez.

Cameron retired the first 13 Reds, three by strikeout. The streak ended when Spencer Steer hit his eighth home run. It broke the no-hitter, shutout and extended Steer's on-base streak to 21 games, the longest current streak in the Major Leagues.

Abbott completed six innings, with three runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out five.

"We pitched pretty good. Andrew had that really tough inning. He threw 30 pitches and just couldn't finish guys," Francona said. "There were a couple ground ball hits and a bunt. Or bullpen strung it together and did a really good job."

Tejay Antone struck out two in a scoreless seventh. Sam Moll authored a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts.

Cameron completed seven innings, retiring 21 of the 22 batters he faced. 

Long haired, long, lean, lefty Matt Strahm took over for Cameron and his first assignment was Steer. It didn't work out well for Strahm when Steer deposited his second home run of the game and ninth of the season into the right field stands. It was the fourth multi-home run game in Steer's career.

"It was an unreal job by everyone," Steer said. "Abbott gave us a chance to win. The bullpen came in shut them down. Offensively, it was tough. Their starter wasn't missing over the middle of the plate. We were kind of in between. We found a way and I couldn't be happier for Will Benson. He was ready for that moment."

Cameron pitched into the seventh in his last meeting with the Reds and also allowed just one run. It was Steer that drove that run in too.

"Just sticking to my approach," Steer said. "Just trying to get him out over. I know he likes to crowd righties in. He did a really good job of that tonight. I try to get him out over and make a good swing if he makes a mistake."

Zach Maxwell kept the game close with a scoreless ninth.

Pinch hitter Will Benson lined his third home run of the season to greet Lucas Erceg to tie the game. Erceg got two quick outs before walking Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez but he struck out Steer to send the game to the 10th inning. 

"Will with a huge hit, so we get to keep playing and we're at home," Francona said. "Once you tie the advantage goes to us. The idea was for Will to get on. Erceg has some walks or Will can get a hit and find away to get on. The home run is awesome but I don't think you really expect it." 

Brock Burke pitched around the ghost runner Carter Jensen, issuing a walk Loftin but stranding Jensen at third by striking out Kyle Isbel.

Steer started the bottom of the 10th on second base. Terry Francona put up the team's top bunter, TJ Friedl to bat for Tyler Stephenson. Friedl fouled off the first pitch on a bunt attempt and took a strike to go down in the count 0-2. He struck out swinging. Dunn delivered the game winner of Schreiber to send loud Reds' fans home happy.

"I've said it a few times now. Dunn just plays the game. He is going through a little tough stretch but he plays the game. He runs to first base like his pants are on fire. Every time he hits a ground ball it's a bang, bang play. We all appreciate that."

Dunn didn't try to do too much. He kept his approach like he did the last time the Reds needed him to come through.

"The guy had a no-hitter going, then Spence hit the home run and we just helped everybody relax," Dunn said. "A couple innings later Spence hits another homer which was huge. That ninth inning I felt there was kind of an energy in the dugout. Will hits the home run which is huge. I'm not in that spot if that doesn't happen."

His approach against Schreiber.

"A guy with a good sinker like that. He's trying to run it in on your hands. He has a big sweeper of the sinker. I'm trying to get something up. The thing I'm not trying to do is get pull happy. If he comes in on me and I try to do that, I'm swinging at bad pitches. That sinker was in. It might have been off the plate but I was able to stay inside of it and punch it to right field for a base hit," Dunn explained. 

Rhett Lowder On Rehab Assignment For Louisville At Memphis

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Rhett Lowder has not pitched since May 7 at Chicago. He pitched just three innings, allowing four runs on one hit and four walks. The start before that he lasted just 1 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who scored eight runs off him on five hits and four walks.

Lowder was placed on the 15-day injured list with pain in his right shoulder on May 13, retroactive to May 10. 

He is on a rehab start against the Memphis Redbirds as they host the Louisville Bats. He is scheduled to throw 70 pitches.

If he comes through it alright, the Reds plan to plug him back into the rotation and move Chris Paddack to the bullpen.

Lowder left after five innings with a 4-3 lead. He allowed three runs on six hits. He struck out eight and issued no walks. Lowder threw 70 pitches with 50 strikes.

Reds Go To The Drawing Board Again To Stabalize Bullpen

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds designated Brandon Leibrandt and Lyon Richardson for assignment and recalled right handers Luis Mey and Zach McCambley from Triple A Louisville.

The Reds were thankful for Brandon Leibrandt, who picked up the bullpen on Monday (060126) night by finishing six innings in a losing cause. 

It was a sacrifice that was necessary because of rash of injuries to the bullpen. 

"I hope we have a lead tomorrow and if we do and we win. He (Leibrandt) deserves a pat on the back," Francona said. 

It was an opportunity that may be more fulfilling down the road for Leibrandt.

"I've always said, if you're going to get me, you're going to get me," Leibrandt said. "I'm going to go out there and give you innings. I'm never going to go out and pitch a couple innings and leave the bullpen hang. It felt good to pick those guys up."

He got thanks from management as they designated him for assignment along with emergency opener, Lyon Richardson.

The Reds recalled Luis Mey and newcomer to the organization Zach McCambley, who the Reds acquired in the trade with the Miami Marlins for Rece Hinds on May 21.

McCambley from Netcong, NJ is 27 years old. He was the Marlins third pick in the 2020 draft out of Coastal Carolina University. He grew up in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. 

He pitched in eight games in the Philadelphia Phillies camp after being selected in the Rule V draft but was returned to the Marlins at the end of spring training.

McCambley pitched in Triple A for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He appeared in 13 games with two starts. He is 1-1 with one save and a 2.36 ERA. McCambley has 32 strikeouts and 17 walks in 26 2/3 innings. In Louisville he pitched 3 2/3 innings in two relief appearances, with a 1-0 record and 2.45 ERA after allowing one run on one hit, a home run to Ben Ross of the Minnesota Twins affiliate, St. Paul Saints.

When one opportunity closes another is created and McCambley has spent eight seasons in the minor leagues to get this one. He has been with three organizations since the end of March. This is his first chance to get in a big league game.

'It's been a crazy year being a Rule V and being in Clearwater for spring." McCambley said. "I looked at it as great opportunity."

Rule V players are required to be carried by the team that drafts them in this case the Philadelphia Phillies or get sent back to the team they came from.

"I was disappointed to be sent back," McCambley said. "I kept my nose to the grindstone and kept grinding and it got me here man. I thought I did well with the Phillies. I obviously didn't have the spring that I wanted to have. (8 games, 7 1/3 innings, 1.25, five hits, one run but six walks and four strikeouts). I had more walks than I would like to have had. I thought I competed. I thought I was a pro all the way through. I made it to the last day. I have nothing but good things to say about them."

Pat Kelly the Bats manager told him to keep doing what he was doing and his time will come.

"It helps to get a new set of eyes on you," said McCambley about being in three organizations in a short amount of time. Being in the minor leagues with the Marlins has been a grind. I have nothing but love for them over there."

"Everyone has been so welcoming to me here in the Reds organization. It is still so fresh. I've only been here for a week and a half," McCambley said. 

McCambley grew up a Phillies fan. "I watched the Phillies and the Yankees growing up," he said.

His family support is on the way starting at 4 am.

"They all packed up their whole lives and drove here. I have a great support system. They're all here," McCambley said.

It is an exciting experience for him and will be the second player to make a big league entrance for the first time as Edwin Arroyo did on Monday night. 

"He's had an interesting year," Terry Francona said. "Sometimes when you go to a new organization, you get a little bump. We've seen it. Right now, we're kind of the land of opportunity. I don't think it is realistic that everybody that gets called up is going to take it and run with it but if a couple guys do that it will really help."

Andrew Abbott Takes On Royals Noah Cameron

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds turn to All-Star Andrew Abbott to put the Kansas City Royals in their losing ways.

The Royals escaped a six-game losing streak to take offensive advantage of the Reds bullpen day, caused by illness to ace Chase Burns.

Abbott appears to have returned to his dominant form.

He is 4-3 with a 4.02 ERA. Abbott was 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in May. His last start he was charged with a losing decision when the Reds stranded 17 base runners in a 4-2 loss. He pitched six innings against the New York Mets. He allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk. One of the runs scored was the result of a non play by Elly De La Cruz. Originally ruled an error a scoring change turned it to a hit and an earned run.

Abbott has one start against the Royals. He is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA. He allowed four runs in five innings on six hits in an 8-1 loss on August 18, 2024.

The Royals send left hander Noah Cameron against the Reds.

Cameron is 26 years old, the seventh round pick of the Royals in the 2021 draft out of Central Arkansas University. 

He made 19 starts this season with a 2-4 record and 4.61 ERA. He has two quality starts in his last three outings, including one with six scoreless innings on four hits on May 22 against the Seattle Mariners. His last effort was a five inning start with two runs on four hits and a walk.

Cameron was the winning pitcher in his lone start against the Reds. He allowed one run on six hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings on May 28 in a 3-2 Royals win. He struck out two.

Lineups Reds:

Dane Myers CF

Sal Stewart 1B

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Spencer Steer LF

Tyler Stephenson C

Blake Dunn RF

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Matt McLain SS

Royals lineup

Lane Thomas CF

Bobby Witt Jr. SS

Salvador Perez C

Starling Marte DH

Vinnie Pasquantino 1B

Nick Loftin 3B

Jac Caglianone RF

Tyler Tolbert LF

Mike Massey 2B

JJ Bleday DH

Lane Thomas Haunts Reds Again Takes Advantage Of Chase Burns Absence

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Kansas City Royals took advantage of illness to ace Chase Burns. Lane Thomas hit the third grand slam of his career to doom the Reds to a 9-1 defeat.

It was the 11th home run Thomas hit against Reds pitching in his career. He hit three home runs against the Reds on June 3, 2022 and had a two-home run game on August 4, 2023 both times as a member of the Washington Nationals.

Newly anointed starter for Kansas City, Luinder Avila, pitched a career-high five innings to pick up his first win of the season. 

Lyon Richardson started for the Reds in place of  Burns.  He walked Carter Jensen to start the game. He hit Bobby Witt Jr. on a 3-1 pitch. He got a pop out by Vinnie Pasquantino but walked Jac Caglianone to load the bases. Isaac Collins struck out swinging but Thomas hit the first pitch off the facing of the upper deck to unload the bases. 

"He didn't have any command," Terry Francona said. "He was about to wiggle out of it but he tried to get ahead of Thomas and left it over the plate. I think he threw 30 pitches. That's a lot."

JJ Bleday hit his 10th home run of the season with one out against Kansas City opener, Luinder Avila to get a run back.

Caleb Ferguson took over for Richardson to start the second inning. He pitched two scoreless innings with two hits and two strikeouts. 

The Reds put two runners on against Avila. Eugenio Suarez walked and was forced at second by Nathaniel Lowe. Spencer Steer, reached base in his 20th straight game with a single to left. Tyler Stephenson forced Lowe at second and Edwin Arroyo struck out for the second time. It gave Avila a career-high four innings. 

The Royals stretched their lead in the fifth against Brandon Leibrandt. Witt doubled and Caglione hit his sixth home run of the season. The Royals added another in the sixth frame. Nick Loftin walked and went to second on Leibrandt's errant pick off attempt. Witt was intentionally walked when the count went to 3-0. Pasquantino's second single scored Loftin.

Michael Massey hit his fifth home run of the season in the seventh inning. 

Leibrandt saved the bullpen by finishing the game. He pitched six innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits and three walks. He struck out three. The last run scored on back-to-back singles by Thomas and Massey with a sacrifice fly by Loftin.

"I hope we have a lead tomorrow and if we do and we win. He (Leibrandt) deserves a pat on the back," Francona said. 

"I've always said, if you're going to get me, you're going to get me," Leibrandt said. "I'm going to go out there and give you innings. I'm never going to go out and pitch a couple innings and leave the bullpen hang. It felt good to pick those guys up."

The Reds put up a token run with two outs in the ninth. Edwin Arroyo singled for his first Major League hit off Eli Morgan. Matt McLain doubled off Morgan to allow Arroyo to score the first run of his career.

"It didn't start how I wanted," Arroyo said. "It finished how I wanted. It is a great opportunity and I was really excited after that (first hit) so let's keep it going."

The fans cheered hard for the hit even with the Reds eight runs down with two outs in the ninth.

"It was really exciting. I started thinking about the WBC in Puerto Rico. It was really loud. A lot of people cheering hopefully they keep coming and keep cheering for the team," Arroyo said. 

"It kind of gave everybody a little lift," Francona said.