Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from walk-off win in extra innings

1. The Reds bats came up clutch

Say what you will about this year’s Cincinnati Reds’ offense, but last night proved that this team does have clutch hitters. While Yasiel Puig’s game winning single will get most of the attention, there were three others who delivered when the game was in the balance.

Is José Iglesias the best hitter on this Reds’ team? That’s a rhetorical question. The Reds struck gold this offseason when they signed Iglesias to a minor league deal and he has rewarded their faith in him time and time again this season with both his glove and his bat. Last night was no exception.

On two different occasions, Iglesias came up clutch for the Reds. His 2-out RBI double in the 4th inning closed the gap after the Cubs had added an extra run and he did it again in the 7th inning with a leadoff home run. No one on this team has delivered more timely hits than Jose Iglesias.

While Iglesias showed off his power in the 7th inning, his partner on the left side of the infield joined the party in the 8th. After getting the party started with an RBI double in the 1st, Eugenio Suárez tied the game in the 8th with an oppo taco to right field. His 13th bomb of the season came at just the right time and helped spark the Reds’ extra innings rally.

The reason that Suarez’s homer was a two-run shot and not a solo blast was due to the clutch hitting of one Joseph Daniel Votto. Votto has had his fair share of struggles this season and they’ve been well documented. For what it’s worth, I think he’ll figure it out. Maybe last night was a step in the right direction.

Joey Votto was visibly upset all night, and for good reason. The former MVP has looked uncomfortable at the plate for the majority of the season and was 0-for-4 heading up to the plate in the 8th. But, Votto looped the 1-0 pitch from lefty Kyle Ryan into center field and brought the tying run to the plate.

None of us really know what’s going on with Joey Votto this season. All we know is that what we’re seeing is not what we’re used to. However, last night’s late inning single followed by a walk in the 10th is exactly the type of performance this Reds team needs from their All-Star.