Down by two runs and their last strike, Jonathan India doubled on the 10th pitch of a "life and death" at bat with Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan.
The clutch hit on a 3-2 count set stage for heroics from Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (CES) to come back for a 6-5 win.
There were two out with the basbeaes empty and fans getting a head start to their cars, when India last a Finnegan offering down the left field line.
"I was tired," said India after a slower roller for an infield hit kicked foul. "He throws hard. He kept throwing high and away. I wanted to help my team. I had to catch my breath. It was the best at bat that I think I've had in my career."
The second baseman's career in Cincinnati was resurrected after trade rumors all winter and a move to the outfield to allow Matt McLain to take his spot. An injury to McLain changed the plan.
Benson struck out in the eighth inning with India and Bubba Thompson on base in the eighth inning.
"I told Santiago that I wanted one more chance," Benson said. "I watched Jonathan's at bat 10 pitches I think gave me a chance to get my timing down. I looked for a pitch over the plate and I got it."
CES hit into his second double play following Benson. It made him hitless in 12 at bats to start the season.
"I kept telling him . Don't beat your self up. You're time is coming," said India.
CES hit the first pitch to the seats in left field. It was his third walk-off hit and second home run in 66 big league games.
"If I was going to make an out, I just wanted to make sure it was coming off the bat, hot," CES said. "I had an idea of what I wanted to do all three games. I just wasn't executing. When I think to just hit the ball hard, it shrinks everything for me."
CJ Abrams hit his first home run of the season against Martinez in the third inning.
The Reds rebounded against Jake Irvin the bottom of the inning. Irvin walked Spencer Steer and Nick Martini start it. Tyler Stephenson hit a slow ground ball to third base with the runners advancing a baset. Jonathan India's sharp ground ball to shortstop tied the game. Will Benson's double put the Reds ahead.erThe Reds hit the ball hard in the fourth inning. Jeimer Candelario hit a hard line drive to center. Jake Fraley hit his second single of the game but was caught stealing. Elly De La Cruz hit a triple to the gap in right center. Steer sent him home with a single.
The Nationals fought back with singles by Luis Garcia and Trey Lipscomb off Martinez. Abrams sacrifice bunt set up Lane Thomas' two-run single to tie the score at three.
Emilio Pagan relieved who pitched five innings, allowing six hits and three runs. He walked and hit former Red Jesse Winker and struck out three.
Buck Farmer replaced Pagan. Trey Lipscomb, the first batter Farmer faced, hit his first Major League home run. It was a line drive to right center that appeared to glance off Benson's glove in center field and into the first row of seats. The Nationals loaded the bases as Winker reached base for the fourth time with a double but Farmer struck out Keibert Ruiz to end the inning.
"I got a piece of it, exactly. I had a great jump on it. I had a read. The timing was great. I just missed it. I wish I could explain it more."
Tejay Antone took over in the Washington eighth. Eddie Rosario, who struck out three times, doubled to open the inning. Antone walked Garcia and Lipscomb. Fernando Cruz relieved Antone. Cruz struck out Abrams but Thomas drove in Garcia with a sacrifice fly. Winker failed to reach base for the first time in the game, grounding out to first base.
"Cruz getting out of an impossible situation (bases loaded, no outs) gave us a chance to win the game," David Bell pointed out.
The victory came the day after the Reds were crucified when Washington Reds' closer, Alexis Diaz, for three runs in the ninth after a day of sloppy play. It renewed high hopes for the Reds' 2024 season.
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