Cincinnati Reds Top Indians Behind Mike Leake’s Arm, Bat

W: Mike Leake (7-5)

L: Trevor Bauer (8-6)

Mike Leake pitched six innings of one-run baseball and knocked in three runs to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians to start the second half of the season.

On the mound, Leake avoided trouble through five innings, scattering two hits and two walks. He allowed a run on a ground out in the sixth after giving up a single and a double to lead off the inning, but that was the only blemish on his record. In addition to allowing only one run, he gave up just four hits and two walks, while striking out two.

At the plate, Leake knocked in a run on a squeeze bunt in the second inning that made it 2-0 and came through with a bases-loaded, two-run double in the third to give the Reds a four-run lead.

More from Blog Red Machine

• Reds vs. White Sox: Pitching preview, prediction, and more
• Reds: Reiver Sanmartin adds another twist to offseason roster construction
• Reds: Signing Tyler Mahle to a contract extension should be a top priority
• Reds: Reiver Sanmartin should get first major league start vs Pirates
• Reds should unquestionably bring Wade Miley back in 2022

With Leake’s name in the middle of trade rumors, tonight’s outing definitely didn’t do anything to hurt his value.

Leake wasn’t the only player to help his trade value, as Marlon Byrd also helped lead the way on offense. The left fielder smacked four hits in four at-bats, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Byrd’s first hit came in the form of his 15th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field in the second inning that put the Reds on the board. He picked up a single in his next at-bat in the third and doubled to lead off the fifth. Byrd came to bat for the final time in the seventh and picked up a hit, but it was a measly single up the middle.

Joey Votto also contributed on offense with a solo home run—his 16th of the season—to center field in fourth.

Billy Hamilton provided the Reds’ sixth and final run of the night. He started the eighth by reaching on an infield single, stealing second, and advancing to third on an error. He scored on a ground ball to third, even after he was looked back to the base. Once third baseman Giovanny Urshela released the ball, Hamilton broke for the plate and slid in safely.

Other Notes:

• Ryan Mattheus, J.J. Hoover and Burke Badenhop followed Leake with a scoreless inning each.
• Tucker Barnhart reached base in three of his four plate appearances, singling and walking twice.
• And what Reds game would be complete without a rain delay? Following Leake’s two-run double in the third, the game went under a one hour and five minute delay for rain and lightning.

Up Next: The Reds will go for the series win on Saturday as Anthony DeSclafani takes the mound, opposed by Corey Kluber. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. EST.

Next: Five players to watch in the second half