Cincinnati Reds’ Tucker Barnhart Walks Off Against Rockies

Bullpen struggles continue for the Cincinnati Reds

Despite the bullpen struggles in the eighth inning again, the Cincinnati Reds put together a ninth inning rally to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 on Wednesday afternoon. The Reds jumped out to an early lead with back-to-back home runs from Jay Bruce and Adam Duvall in the second inning. Cincinnati extended their lead in the seventh, but Blake Wood and Tony Cingrani combined to give up three runs and allow the Rockies to tie the game in the eighth. Wednesday’s game was different from recent games, however, as Tucker Barnhart ripped the first pitch he saw over a five-man infield down the right field line to score Brandon Phillips and win the game in walk off fashion.

Here are some observations from the game:

Iglesias Continues Outstanding Pitching

Raisel Iglesias had another good start, giving up five hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out eight. Twice Iglesias worked out of jams, first in the fourth when he got a strikeout and a line out after giving up two runs. He also worked around a one-out double to escape the sixth with no damage done. Iglesias had his breaking ball working well on Wednesday. He was able to get several strikeouts because of his off-speed pitches, including getting the hot-hitting Trevor Story to strike out on a pitch outside the strike zone.

Barnhart’s Hot Hitting

After his RBI double in the seventh and his walk-off hit in the ninth, Barnhart is now hitting .348 in 25 at-bats this season. He’s been the third option at catcher for the past couple of years, but he’s finally getting the opportunity to be the true back-up catcher. And now he’s showing the Reds why they made a good decision in sticking with him. Barnhart is also getting more at-bats because the Reds are still easing Mesoraco back into catching after his injury last season. If Barnhart keeps this up, he will continue to get playing time.

Replay Challenge Helps Reds

In the top of the seventh, Iglesias had just given up the tying run on a base hit by Ryan Raburn. Bryan Price opted to go to the bullpen and brought in Wood. Someone either on the field or in the dugout for the Reds must have seen something at third base because before Wood could even throw a pitch, he threw to third base to appeal that Ben Paulsen had missed third base on his way home. The umpire called him out, the Rockies challenged and lost based on inconclusive evidence. And for those wondering which pitcher gets credit for the out: that would be Wood, based on the official MLB rule book.

Notes:

• Joey Votto went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is now hitless in his last four games. Reds fans still shouldn’t worry about him.
• Ivan DeJesus came up with his first hit of the season, a double in the seventh to drive in Tucker Barnhart, and snapped a 0-for-32 streak dating back to 2015.
• After taking two of three from the Rockies, the Reds are now 7-2 at home and welcome in the Chicago Cubs for a four-game weekend series.