Red Hot Spencer Steer's Home Run Beats Mets In Five-Run Eighth

 

  

Spencer Steer hit a three-run home run off Yohan Ramirez to lead the Reds to an 9-6 win over the New York Mets. The Reds scored five runs to erase a one-run deficit and even the three-game series.

It was Steer's third home run this week. He has driven home 12 runs in the eight Reds' games this season.

"Good things happen when you put the ball in play," Steer said. "We were putting together good at bats all day, I thought. At the end we streamed a lot of good ones together and put pressure on the defense. Obviously, home runs are a nice bonus."

Steer had a good rookie season. He has started this campaign with a .448 average and stole two bases, including home on a double steal in this game.

"Spencer has been doing that going back to last season," David Bell said. "He's always been a good player. He continues to mature and develop. He gains even more confidence. He has always been confident when you have success over and over, he's really believing no matter who he's faces no situation is too big and he wants to be up in those spots."

The Reds broke the ice on this coolish afternoon against Luis Severino. Jeimer Candelario doubled near the feet of left Tyrone Taylor. Candelario's fly ball appeared to be hit deeper than it was. Taylor slipped trying to come back for the ball after drifting too far. Jake Fraley advanced the runner to third with a ground out. Second baseman, Jeff McNeil misplayed Elly De La Cruz ground ball as Candelario scored. Spencer Steer singled De La Cruz to third. Severino walked Tyler Stephenson and Jonathan India to score the second run. Will Benson struck out.

In spite of scoring two runs the Reds were 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. It extended the Reds' streak to 0-for-13 with runners on second or third.

The Mets had been no better in those situations, stranding runners at first and second against Nick Martinez in the third. They were 0-for-8 in the series until Omar Narvaez singled with the bases loaded to tie the score. Brandon Nimmo followed with a two-run double to score four in the fourth. 

The Mets added on with a run in the fifth when Taylor followed Starling Marte's second single of the game with a double.

Severino retired nine straight batters before Benson's two-b triple in the bottom of the fifth. Christian Encarnacion-Strand extended the RISP drought to 0-for-15 with a ground out.

Buck Farmer entered the game for the Reds in the top of the sixth and pitched two scoreless innings. 

Martinez finished his 200th appearance with five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, one walk and one hit batter. He struck out six batters. All five runs off him scored with two outs.

"The offense and the bullpen picked me up. When you give up runs with two outs it sucks," Martinez said.

Severino left after five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks. He struck out seven.

The Reds scored a pair of runs off Jake Diekman in the sixth with two outs. De La Cruz walked. Steer was hit by a pitch. Pinch hitter Stuart Fairchild singled to break the 0-for-15 streak with RISP on a single to score De La Cruz, sending Steer to third. He and Fairchild pulled a double steal to make the score 5-4.

The Reds eventful five-run frame had some odd plays. Candelario walked against Ramirez to open the inning. Bubba Thompson ran for him. Thompson appeared to steal his fourth base of the season but a balk was called on Ramirez to negate the steal. 

"It seems Bubba Thompson has been a part of everything," Bell said. "It says a lot about guys coming off the bench. He has made the absolute most of his opportunities. It is surprising, he got his first at, today."

The Reds batted around and Thompson struck out looking in his first at bat of the season. He has been used primarily as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in the late innings.

Jake Fraley couldn't check his swing on a two-strike pitch in the dirt. De La Cruz tried to check his swing as Fraley was running. The ball rolled through the shortstop hole into left field to tie the game. Steer hit the home run after that. Fairchild got his second hit on a bunt single. Stephenson singled and India walked to load the bases. Encarnacion-Strand's sacrifice fly capped the scoring.

Alexis Diaz, who was warming up for a save attempt, still entered the game with a four-run lead with no save to earn. He allowed a run on two hits.