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Reds 5 Rockies 3
Well, they did it again. Different day. Different players. Same results.
Jake Fraley's 8th inning two-run bolt into the right field seats sent the Reds past the Rockies 5-3 to complete a sweep and extend their winning streak to 11 consecutive games Wednesday afternoon before 23,637 at GABP. The Reds had rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the 5th inning. That last time the Reds won more than 11 straight was 1957 (12).
Elly De La Cruz opened the go-ahead 8th inning with a double he dropped down the left field line. That's the 26th comeback win of the season, topping last season's total and moves the Reds to 40-35 on the season. They stood 26-49 through 75 games a year ago.
Per ESPN: Cincinnati joins the 1890 Louisville Colonels as the only franchises in MLB history with an 11-game win streak a season after losing 100 games.
There was a distinct "not their day" feel early on. The Reds hit a number of at 'em balls to defenders. Luke Maile (101.5 mph) and Spencer Steer (105.3 mph) hit rockets into outs. Fraley lined out to right field and into a DP with De La Cruz was running on the pitch. The middle of the order had a 1B-HBP-1B 3rd inning but didn't score.
Breakthrough: Trailing 3-0 in the 5th, the first five Reds batters reached and three scored to tie the game. Joey Votto started the rally by leaning into a pitch that hit him. Maile battled back from an 0 and 2 count to line a two run single up the middle. TJ Friedl ripped a shot off the glove of 2B Cocol Montes to tie the game.
Ouch: After tying things in the 5th and putting runners on the corners with no outs, the Reds couldn't take the lead. Steer struck out. India struck out and Maile came home on a double steal attempt.....but India was called out for batter's interference on the play. No run. Inning over.
Abbott: 6 IN, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 10 K, 3 HR, 88 pitches/59 strikes. The Reds really needed those six innings. And he gave the offense a chance. The Rockies hit three solo homers. Brenton Doyle hit Andrew Abbott's second pitch of the game for a homer. It ended Abbott's streak of 17.2 scoreless innings to begin his MLB career. Abbott can be cat burglar crafty with his assortment of pitches, speeds, deception and bulldog. He had Rockies behind on his 92 mph fastball. His ERA sits at 1.14 through his first four ML starts.
Votto: 0 for 1, R, 2 HBP.
Elly: 2 for 4. He extended his hit streak to five in a row. He started the go-ahead rally with a double to open the 8th inning. He was doubled up on a fly ball he was running on. Trailing 3-0 in the 4th, he was swinging on a 3-0 pitch after India had walked on seven pitches to leadoff the inning. De La Cruz hit a ball 111.1 mph off the bat into a 4-6-3 DP.
2 H: Fraley, De La Cruz
3 H: Stephenson
Bullpen: It figured to be dicey with Alexis Diaz and Alex Young unavailable.
Sims 1.0 IN, 0 R.....Gibaut 1.0 IN, 0 R (8th win)......Farmer 1.0 IN, save.
Saves during win streak: 6 Diaz, 1 Farmer, 1 Young, 1 Karcher
Special K: Reds pitching struckout 15 Rockies.
Wins during streak: 3 Gibaut, 2 Abbott, 2 Young, 1 Farmer, 1 Williamson, 1 Lively, 1 Greene
How the Reds scored:
5th: Maile two-run single, 3-2 Rockies
5th: Friedl RBI single, 3-3
8th: Fraley 2-run HR, 5-3
Umpiring: I just don't know how we are expected to take ML umpiring seriously.
Prior to the game:
Recalled RHP Alan Busenitz from Louisville.
Selected the contract of RHP Silvino Bracho from Louisville
Placed RHP Casey Legumina (right shoulder pain) on 15-day IL
Optioned Stuart Fairchild to Louisville.