Dateline: Cincinnati
The Reds scored a total of seven runs in their last series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Eugenio Suarez drove in six by himself in the first two innings on his sixth and seventh home runs on the way to a 12-0 route of the New York Mets.
The New York Mets dipped into their minor league system and brought Tobias Myers and Jonathan Pintaro from Triple A Syracuse before the game to cover injuries and Suarez homered off both of them.
Myers started and Blake Dunn doubled to start the night for the Reds. Sal Stewart walked and they pulled off a double steal. Spencer Steer's ground out commenced the scoring and Suarez belted a two-out home run.
The Reds poured it on in the second inning.
Matt McLain walked in front of Tyler Stephenson's single. Edwin Arroyo beat out a bunt to load the bases. JJ Bleday walked to score McLain. It ended the night for Myers and Pintaro took over. Stewart singled for one run. Suarez belted a 3-2 pitch onto the center field net above the Reds bullpen. It is the ninth grand slam of his career.
"That was really big for us with two outs," Terry Francona.
"Both of them were very special," Suarez said. "More important is we win the game. It is not about me. I feel our offense is right there. We've been grinding but today was a good example of what we can do. We never give up. We've been doing a good job keeping our mind on the game."
Chase Burns struck out six of the first nine batters he faced but lost control early in the fourth inning. Bo Bichette hit his second double of the game a fly ball that Noelvi Marte misjudged. Juan Soto and A.J. Ewing walked around an infield fly to load the bases. He got Marcus Semien to pop up to short. He struck out Brett Baty.
"There was a lot of sitting for him which I don't think he (Burns) will complain about," Francona said. "There were some deep counts and some walks. They had runners on base pretty much until Petty came in. We were kind of fortunate that guys made pitches when they absolutely had to. We had six walks and things to clean up but saying that it was a good night."
The fifth inning was just as problematic for Burns. Burns walked .204 hitting MJ Melendez. Francisco Alvarez singled past Arroyo at second. Carson Benge lined out to left. Bichette had his third hit of the game to load the bases. Soto popped to first and Jared Young flied out to center.
"I put myself in some tough situations," Burns said. "If any thing a big lead gives you more confidence. With Soto up it is not a good situation to be in. He can get you at any moment. So I thought I should be bearing down and executing pitches."
The last two innings pushed Burn's pitch count to 100 with 64 strikes. He allowed one hit in nine at bats with runners in scoring position to finish five scoreless innings of scoreless baseball. He allowed four hits and walked three, while striking out seven.
In 13 of Burn's 14 starts, he has allowed two or fewer runs. He has 11 of those games in a row. Opponents are 5-for-58 with runners in scoring position against Burns this season for an .086 average. His ERA dropped to 2.01.
"That kid is special," Suarez said of Burns. "He'll do what ever he wants, for real. Playing behind him is awesome. I see him on 3-2 throw a nasty slider for a strikeout. I feel like right now, he's one of the best."
Brock Burke pitched a scoreless sixth.
Caleb Ferguson allowed a hit and two walks to load the bases but struck out two before turning the ball over to Chase Petty.
Semien grounded out on the first pitch.
JJ Bleday hit a three-run home run off David Peterson, his 13th of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Petty completed the shutout with 2 1/3 innings with no hits, no walks and a strike out.
"He came in and threw strikes. His confidence is growing. I don't think anyone questions his stuff," Franconas said.
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