Cincinnati Reds: Was last night’s offensive explosion a fluke?

The Reds bats exploded for 12 runs last night.

Last night, the Cincinnati Reds three big free agent signings, Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos, and Shogo Akiyama accounted for half of the Reds 12 runs. Not only did they show up, but Nick Senzel also dusted off his bat as well. Scoring 12 runs against the Cubs is no fluke, the Cincinnati Reds bats have awakened and they don’t seem like they’ll be tired again for a while.

It was only a matter of time before Akiyama got things going at the plate, and did he ever last night. Akiyama had only struck out once going into last night’s game, he was just not finding gaps.

Last night, Akiayam showed how good his bat is and how hard the ball comes off when he scorched ground-rule double that went over the center-field wall. He finished 2-for-5, but would have had three hits and a pair RBIs if it wasn’t for the “catch” by Kris Bryant that turned in to disputed triple-play.

Moustakas picked up right where he left off after rejoining the Reds following his three game absence. The Reds have a different feel with Moose in the lineup and seems to be universally loved by everyone in the Cincinnati clubhouse.

The grounds crew was even showed some love by wearing moose antlers in the stands. The left-handed slugger walked twice and blasted a two-run bomb to in his second at-bat, giving him six RBIs in just three games. Moose provides pop in the middle of the lineup and will continue to be lethal as long as David Bell keeps him behind Eugenio Suárez and in front of Castellanos.

Senzel also was able to rejoin the team last night. His first hit may have come later than he wanted, but it was worth the wait when he took a ball deep in the fifth inning. That got the 24-year-old drooling, as he doubled in his next at-bat.

Senzel seemed so much more relaxed at the plate and was seeing pitches much better after he got that first hit. While seventh may not be his permanent spot in the Reds batting order, don’t look for him to climb much higher than the No. 6 spot in the lineup.

Speaking of Castellanos, how about a round of applause for just being a flat out beast! Castellanos’ bat never left and was not in need of a wake-up call. His aggressive approach at the plate and desire to compete showed last night when smashed a grand slam against his former team.

Last night was one game, but it was no fluke. The Reds’ front office plan to spend money and add to the Cincinnati Reds lineup looks like it is in the beginning stage of paying off. With Senzel and Moustakas back into the lineup give this team a chance kick it into gear earlier. The Reds are unlikely to go 56-4, but they will punish a lot of baseballs and win more than they lose.