Clutch performance from Lucas Sims helps push the Reds winning-streak to 4

Brandon Williamson, one of the top pitching prospects in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, got his first win on Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals.

Williamson, who's had some ups and downs through his first few major league starts since his debut last month, went five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. But the Reds bats provided enough offense and the bullpen was outstanding yet again.

Lucas Sims was the unsung hero during last night's victory over the Royals. The right-hander came in during a bases loaded jam in the seventh inning and flat out shoved.

Clutch performance from Lucas Sims helps push the Reds winning-streak to 4.

Lucas Sims had an unfortunate outing late last month against the St. Louis Cardinals. After getting the first two outs in the eighth inning, a single, a wild pitch, an RBI double, an intentional walk, a free pass, and another wild pitch saw the Reds go down 2-0. Cincinnati would eventually lose by a score of 2-1.

But since that appearance, Sims has been among the best relievers in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen. In the eight games that followed, Sims has gone 8.1 innings, allowed just one earned run on five hits while striking out nine batters. Sims owns a sparkling 1.08 ERA during that span.

It's doubtful that any of his previous outings have been as pressure-packed as the one he faced on Tuesday night. After Ian Gibaut recorded the first out, a walk, hit-by-pitch, and another walk loaded the bases with the Reds only ahead by one run.

Enter Lucas Sims! The right-hander struck out the top two bats in the Kansas City lineup, and let out a loud roar as he stepped off the mound. Sims then returned in the bottom of the eighth, and outside of a harmless single, took care of the Royals lineup once again.

The Cincinnati Reds bullpen was much maligned entering the 2023 season, but it has surprisingly been one of the team's strengths. While Alexis Diaz gets a lot of credit, and he should, Lucas Sims' presence in the bullpen gives David Bell a reliable, late-inning option to help bridge the gap to the Reds closer.

The Reds have won four straight, and seven of their last nine games. While the celebrated prospects like Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain are grabbing the headlines, the Cincinnati bullpen just keeps doing its job.