The Cincinnati Reds ended their 6-game losing streak on Monday night, defeating the Miami Marlins 5-2 in the series
opener.
The Reds fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first when Jorge Soler hit a solo home run.
Cincinnati would flip the momentum and take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning on a 2-run triple by TJ Friedl. The Reds added on to the lead the very next inning with back-to-back solo home runs by Christian Encarnacion Strand and Joey Votto, making it a 4-1 game.
Cincinnati’s lead would grow to 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh when Friedl scored on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Steer.
Miami made it a 5-2 game in the top of the 8th with a solo homer by Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Marlins would have a chance to tie the game in the 9th with one out, two-runners on, and Luis Arraez at the plate. Reds closer Alexis Diaz forced Arraez to hit into a double play to end the game, giving Cincinnati their first win since July 31st.
Brandon Williamson earned the win on the mound, allowing 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 9 batters.
TJ Friedl went 2-4 at the plate with the aforementioned triple and 2 RBI.
With Chicago’s loss, the Reds have sole possession of 2nd place in the NL Central, trailing 1st place Milwaukee by 1.5 games.
Game 2 of the series is this evening. Coverage on 103.9 WRBI begins at 6:10.