Reds comeback victory could be start of something special

The Cincinnati Reds trailed the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 in the third inning on Monday night, but a two-out walk to Jonathan India got the rally started. Kyle Farmer followed with a single, Nick Castellanos pounded a two-RBI double to center field, and Joey Votto played long ball to bring the Reds within a run.

Votto then tied the game with his second home run of the game, which was also his third in as many at-bats. Eugenio Suárez smacked his 27th round tripper of the season, and Cincinnati took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Last night’s starter, Vladimir Gutierrez only lasted 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, including two home runs in the first inning. Thankfully, the Cincinnati bullpen recorded 5.2 scoreless innings and the Redlegs tacked on three more runs to win by a final of 9-5.

The Reds scored nine unanswered runs in Monday’s win.

It may seem like small potatoes to be touting a win over a hapless team like the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Cincinnati faithful know how important this game was to the Reds. After dropping eight consecutive series and falling three games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card hunt, there is little margin for error over the remaining two weeks of the season.

The Reds have an opportunity to right the ship, and while they’ll need help to reach the postseason, they surely won’t get there if they continue to lose. The schedule is favorable, with only two of their remaining 11 games against a team (Chicago White Sox) with a winning record.

Cincinnati has two more games against the Bucs at home before welcoming the Washington Nationals to town for a four-game set. The Redlegs will then go on the road to the Windy City for two games on the South Side and finish up with three game in Pittsburgh.

Joey Votto willed his team to victory last night. Despite what some fans may think, this team has yet to fold. The Cincinnati Reds may have squandered their opportunity to make a run at the postseason, but last night’s victory could catapult them heading into the final two weeks.

The Reds need help from their division rivals. The Milwaukee Brewers have three more games versus the Cardinals this week in the Cream City. The Brew Crew then travel to St. Louis next week for a three-game affair with the Redbirds. The Cards also have seven more games against the Chicago Cubs.