Cincinnati Reds: 3 takeaways from the comeback win over the Braves

The Cincinnati Reds had their best game of the season last night with a 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves. What did we learn in Reds’ come from behind win?

What a win for the Cincinnati Reds last night. This was as close to a “team win” as you’ll probably see all season. The Reds got out to a 3-0 lead early last night against the Atlanta Braves, only to have that lead erased in the 6th inning. But, thanks to some timely hitting and quality pitching from the bullpen, the Reds overcame the deficit and walked out with the victory.

It looked like an easy victory early on, as Sonny Gray cruised through the first four innings of work. However, a leadoff triple by Dansby Swanson in the fifth inning helped put the Braves on the board and a 3-run effort from Atlanta in the sixth put the Reds in a 1-run hole heading into the bottom of the inning.

There were several key moments during the game, but let’s look at three of the biggest observations from the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 come from behind victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

1. This team is selfless

Was there a bigger play in the game than Derek Dietrich‘s bunt? With José Iglesias on first and one out, Derek Dietrich came on to hit from Robert Stephenson with the Reds trailing 4-3. No one thought Dietrich was going to lay down a bunt, as evident by the Braves voiding the left-hand side of the infield.

Dietrich walked up right up to the plate, and when the entire stadium assumed he’d be swinging for the fences, he laid down a perfect bunt toward third base and easily secured a bunt single. Dietrich scampered down the first base line, tipped his hat to the dugout, put the tying run in scoring position.

The very next batter, Jose Peraza, broke out of his slump in the very next at-bat and a 2-RBI double down the left field line brought home Iglesias and Dietrich. The Reds then took a 5-4 lead.

However, Jesse Winker‘s reaction to Phillip Ervin drawing a walk in the sixth inning was one of the best displays of being a “good teammate” that I’d seen in some time. With the bases loaded in the sixth, David Bell pulled Winker in favor of Ervin to hit against the left-handed Jesse Biddle.

Winker was obviously upset, but didn’t allow his emotions to get the better of him. In fact, when Ervin drew a walk to bring home another run, Winker stood on the top of the dugout steps cheering on his teammate. What a great display of leadership by Winker.