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I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Fernando Tatis Jr. And Luis Arreaz Burn Reds To Take The Series

 

The San Diego Padres scored two runs in the 10th inning to take the series from the Reds, 6-4

Sam Moll started the 10th for Cincinnati with ghost runner Luis Campusano on second base. Luis Arraez bunted for his fourth hit of the game. Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled just inside the third base line to score Campusano. The Reds walked intentionally Jurickson Profar to load the bases. Jake Cronenworth delivered Arraez with a sacrifice fly.

"There was a lot to unpack, San Diego manager, Mike Schildt said. "We'll start with the 10th. Arraez bringing it with him, the guy has three hits on the day. He was just looking to make a good baseball play and was rewarded by beating it out. Tati (Fernando Tatis) just staying with it. He's had some good swings. He doesn't get discouraged and roped that ball down the left field line. Jake (Cronenworth) did enough. Arraez a nice read on the ball as well. There were a lot of good things."

Arraez had faith in Tatis.

"I laid down the bunt," Arraez said. "I just try to play for the team. I wanted to get Campy (Luis Campusano) to third. I got behind Tatis. I knew he just needed a fly ball and we score the run. I just bunted. I got my single but I just tried to move the runner."

Tatis who has struggle at times didn't allow the past haunt him.

"You have to stay with it," Tatis said. "This game is hard. I got results but it's one at bat. The result of the last at bat, you forget about it and go again. We're playing good baseball and you don't want to be the guy left behind."

The respect is mutual.

"Arraez gets you going," Tatis said of the player the Padres obtained on May 4 for four minor leaguers from Miami. "He's twitchy. He's the best hitters I've ever seen play in the game of baseball. That just motivates you." 

The Padres got a two-out, two-run double to take an early lead against Frankie Montas. 

Arraez opened the game with a single after a 4-for-4 night on Wednesday. Tatis Jr. forced Arraez at second base. Profar singled to send Tatis to third. Montas retired Jake Cronenworth on a fly out to shallow left but Manny Machado doubled into the right field corner to score both runners. 

"It is really hard to capture Arraez," Schildt said. "There are so many positives. This guy's been tremendous with great at bats the whole time. He comes in and sits right down with the I-pad and dissects Moll. He's a genius, man."

The Reds fought back with a run in the bottom of the inning. Jacob Hurtubise was hit by a pitch from Matt Waldron. Hurtubise stole second and scored when Jeimer Candelario tripled into the right field corner. Spencer Steer walked with two outs. The Reds tried a double steal. Candelario was first runed safe at home by umpire Marvin Hudson but the call was overturned to end the inning. 

The Padres added on in the second inning. 

David Peralta singled. Jackson Merrill beat out a bunt for a hit.


Montas hit Ha-Seong Kim with a pitch to load the bases. Kyle Higashioka forced Kim at second as Peralta scored. Arraez singled for second time in the game, scoring Merrill. It was Arraez seventh hit in his last seven at bats. He singled in his last at bat on Tuesday in going 2-for-4 in that game, making him 8-for-10 for the series.

The Reds got one run in the bottom of the inning after loading the bases with no outs. Nick Martini singled. Jonathan India walked. Luke Maile was accused of a four tip by umpire Hudson. The Reds argued that he didn't tip it as it rolled toward the Reds dugout. The runners moved up but David Bell lost his second argument. Maile, however singled to load the bases.  The leader in strikeout percentage in baseball, Will Benson, indeed struck out. Hurtubise singled to strong armed Tatis, who got to the ball quickly preventing India from scoring behind Martini. Elly De La Cruz struck out and Candelario grounded out to end the threat.

Nick Martini tied the game with his fourth home run. Enyl De Los Santos walked Steer to lead off the sixth.  Martini, who hit two home runs on opening day, belted an 0-1 pitch into the right field seats.

Jeremiah Estrada struck out five in two innings to get the win, his first of his career.

"Estrada did a good job getting out of the eighth. He's our most rested guy and we liked the matchups in the ninth," Schildt said.

Montas worked six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and a walk. He struck out three. Fernando Cruz struck out the side in the seventh, including Arraez to break his streak of hits at eight. Arraez finished 10-for-13 for the series.

"We don't quit out there or cry," Montas said. "We're all going 100 percent. It looks like we're getting closer and closer to go out there and put up a lot of runs. I feel like the guys are making good swings. A couple things don't fall in for them but we're on track for sure."

Alexis Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth and picked off Kim from second base after a double.

Arraez finished 10-for-13 for the series. Since he came to the Padres, he is hitting a red-hot .407 after hitting .299 with Miami.

"It's nice that the manager talks about me," Estrada said. "I just work hard. I just come in to play hard every day. I really enjoy this game. This game is hard. We got to enjoy this game. I just try to do my little things and hit the ball hard every time."

 




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