Cincinnati Reds Hit Four Home Runs in 7-4 Win, Avoid Giants Sweep

It looked like it would be another one of those losing efforts for the Cincinnati Reds after a Brandon Belt home run to lead off the second inning. But the Reds came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the second against Giants pitcher Jake Peavy and the bullpen managed to hold the lead to get the 7-4 victory on a wet afternoon at GABP.

Brandon Phillips started it by leading off the second with a solo home run.  After a Jay Bruce double, Eugenio Suarez hit a ball to the Reds bullpen in left-center field. And Zack Cozart finished off the second inning scoring later with a two-run shot that stayed just inside the left-field foul pole.

It was the first time in Peavy’s career he allowed three home runs in one inning and four home runs in one game. It was also the second time this season the Reds have hit three home runs in one inning, the first being April 23 against the Cubs.

Here are some other notable observations from Wednesday’s game, including a milestone for the bullpen:

Bullpen Gives Up a Run, But Not the Lead

Tony Cingrani finished the seventh after starter Dan Straily left with one out. Cingrani came in with the bases loaded and Buster Posey at the plate (bad flashbacks, anyone?), but allowed only a sacrifice fly to Posey and then got Hunter Pence to ground out. Cingrani also pitched the eighth and after allowing a hit to lead off the inning, got out of it with an inning-ending double play.

Ross Ohlendorf pitched the ninth and after getting two quick outs, gave up back-to-back doubles to give up a run and kept the bullpen streak active (the Reds bullpen has now given up at least one run in a record 22 straight games). He then got Matt Duffy to strike out swinging to end the game and preserve the win. We haven’t been able to say that very often this season.

More from Blog Red Machine

• Reds fan bares all in fulfilling awkward 2021 World Series bet
• Reds: Bullpen quickly becoming a strength of this team
• Don’t give up! The Reds still have a chance to make the playoffs
• Reds comeback victory could be start of something special
• Joey Votto single-handedly saved the Reds’ bacon vs. the Pirates

Straily Pitches Well Again

Straily continues to be a decent replacement in the starting rotation after moving there from the bullpen. In Wednesday’s game, he went 6.1 innings, giving up six hits and three runs, while walking two and striking out four, and got his first win of 2016. Though two of the three runs Straily gave up came via the home run, his ERA now sits at 3.56. One of the reasons he was successful on Wednesday is that he had his changeup working. The Giants were not able to solve his offspeed pitches for the most part. He got into a bit of trouble in the seventh and left with the bases loaded, but that might have just been the beginning of fatigue.

Offensive Hero

After a rough 0-for-6 start to the series, Suarez answered in a big way in the finale, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, including hitting his team-leading sixth home run of the season. Suarez has been struggling a little at the plate after his hot start to the season, but hopefully Wednesday’s game will be an indication he is turning it around.

Notes:

• In Cozart’s return to the lineup, he went 1-for-4 with one run scored and two RBI. Yes, he only had one hit, but it was a big one, as that home run helped the team to a victory.
• Adam Duvall has been struggling as of late, but was able to take a step in the right direction Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a home run.
• The Reds put the Giants behind them and look forward to a four-game weekend series at GABP against another rebuilding team in the Milwaukee Brewers.