Game 1
Reds 9 Angels 4
For the second consecutive day it was the Elly Show. This time it was the Reds shortstop delivering the big blow, twice, while producing a career-high six RBI in the Reds 9-4 win in Game 1 of their Wednesday doubleheader.
Damage report: Trailing 3-1 in the 5th, De La Cruz crushed a three-run homer to put the Reds ahead 4-3. Then, with the bases loaded in the 7th, he broke it open with a three-run triple to make it 7-3.
Offense: 9 runs on 9 hits and 7 walks. The 9 runs tied their highest output in a game this month. Steer 3 hits, 2 RBI. McLain four runs. Their seven walks are the most since 7 on July 21 vs Arizona.
Dicey: Things got a little hairy in the 7th inning when the Angels scored to make it 8-4 and loaded the bases with two outs vs Derek Law. But Ian Gibaut extinguished the threat with a strikeout of Hunter Renfroe.
Well, so much for that: The fanfare of the pitching matchup fade quickly. Shohei Ohtani exited the game in the Top of the 2nd inning with 'arm fatigue', per the Angels. Meanwhile, Abbot was done before recording an out in the 5th inning.
Comeback Kids: The Reds trailed 3-0 in the 4th, only to bounceback to post their MLB best 39th come-from-behind win.
Blast off: The Reds took advantage of a two out error as De La Cruz made them pay with a 408-foot three-run homer (11). It left the bat at 108.9 mph. He knew it. He walked it and then he flipped his bat to the sky.
Abbott: 4.0+ IN, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K, HR, 75 pitches/42 strikes. He was fighting it from jump. He walked the 1st batter of the game and then Ohtani homered as the 2nd batter of the game. He struck out the side, each looking, in the 2nd inning. He was already at 45 pitches with 2 on, 0 outs and a run in during the 3rd. But he escaped, aided by a Luke Maile pickoff throw to 1st base. He was done after two reached with 0 outs in the 5th leading 4-3.
Bummer: Ohtani exited with one out in the Top of the 2nd inning, having thrown just 26 pitches. He had jacked a two-run homer, his 44th (442 feet) in the 1st inning. He also exited the game as the DH.
Replacement pitcher: LHP Tyler Anderson replaced Ohtani and covered 4.2 innings, allowing four runs, but only one was earned.
What was that? Will Benson took a terrible route on a ball that went for a double and then appeared to lose the grip on his throw in and it bounced about 15 feet in front of him. He seems to take some very odd routes.
Pinched: Joey Votto was pinch-hit for in the 6th by TJ Hopkins, who flew out. Votto is 3 for his last 29 with the batting average at .200.
Left on left: Will Benson picked up his 3rd hit in 31st plate appearance vs a LHP this year.
Took it with him: Friedl dragged a bunt up the 1B line and beat it out with a headfirst slide. His MLB best 14th bunt hit this season.
Bullpen: Farmer 1.2 IN....Young 0.1 IN....Law found 7th inning trouble. His 15 inning scoreless streak came to an end. 0.2 IN, 2 H, 2 BB, R....Gibaut 1.1 IN.
Cruz 1.0 IN.
Stranded: The Angels left 11 runners on base.
Picking it up and laying it down: De La Cruz raced home to third in 11.16 seconds on his triple.
The Brewers beat the Twins 7-6 (10). The Cubs won. The Marlins lost.
How the Reds scored:
4th Votto RBI groundout scored McLain, 3-1 Angels
5th De La Cruz three-run homer, 4-3 Reds
7th De La Cruz three-run triple, 7-3 Reds
7th Steer RBI 1B, 8-3 Reds
9th Steer RBI 1B, 9-4 Reds