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Reds 1 Blue Jays 0
Christian Encarnacion Strand rocketed a game winning homer in the bottom of the 9th as the Reds beat the Blue Jays 1-0 Friday night at GABP. The blast off Jordan Hicks, left the bat at 103.7 mph and traveled 411 feet, landing two rows in front of the Kroger K’s in the upper deck in left field.
It’s the first time the Reds have won consecutive games since July 30-31, a span of 15 games.
Arms! Brett Kennedy and four relievers combined to limit the Jays to just three hits, none after the 3rd inning. Reds pitching has allowed 3 runs or fewer 17 times in 32 games since break.
The Reds collected just four hits on the night, striking out 10 times. They were no hit into the 6th inning by Jays starter Jose Berrios.
Kennedy: Heck of a start. 5 IN, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 75 pitches/49 strikes. He was done before facing the middle of the Jays order in the 6th. He retired the final eight batters faced. He’d pitched just two innings/33 pitches in relief in his last appearance.
Finally: Mat McLain collected the Reds first hit of the night off of Berrios with a one out single in the 6th inning. Elly De La Cruz followed with a four pitch walk. The Jays went to the bullpen with 2 outs, and the Reds could do no damage. Spencer Steer hit into a fielder’s choice. Joey Votto grounded out.
Glove it! McLain saved a run in the 3rd inning with a diving play at 2B for a ground out.
What? Tyler Stephenson singled with one out in the 7th. Will Benson skied a pop fly to 1B that Vlad Guerrero Jr intentionally allowed to drop, untouched. Benson was not running hard on the play. Guerrero flipped the ball to the covering Whit Merrifield at 1B, who threw to 2B for the tag out of Stephenson to complete the double play.
No, it didn’t qualify for the infield fly rule with only a runner on 1st.
2-out rally? Nope: McLain singled and De La Cruz walked with two outs in the 8th. But Spencer Steer struck out.
Bullpen: Farmer 1,0, Gibaut 1,0, Sims 1.0
Diaz got the 9th in a 0-0 game. Again….the idea was to hold there and give the Reds a chance to win in the bottom of the 9th. He did. They did.
How they scored:
CES crushed one