Reds complete series sweep of Royals thanks to 5-run fifth inning

The Cincinnati Reds earned their fifth straight win on Wednesday night, defeating the Kansas City Royals 7-4 to complete the series sweep.

Most of the offense from the Reds came in the fifth inning, where they scored 5 runs. Contributing to the scoring was Stuart Fairchild with a solo home run, Matt McLain with a 3-run homer, and Jonathan India with an RBI double and a solo home run. At the end of the inning, the Reds held a 7-1 lead.

Kansas City would not go quietly, scoring a run in the 6th, 7th, and 9th innings to make it a 7-4 game. However, Reds closer Alexis Diaz would stop the comeback attempt short, closing the game out to earn his 17th save of the season.

Blake Lively got the win on the mound for Cincinnati, striking out 4 while giving up 2 earned runs in 5 and 2/3 innings of work.

Daniel Lynch was saddled with the loss for the Royals, allowing 7 earned runs in 7 innings on the mound.

With the win, the Reds record improves to 34-35 on the season, putting them just 1 and 1/2 games back of first place Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

Cincinnati has the the day of today. They’ll return to action Friday night when they begin a 3-game road series with the Houston Astros. Coverage on 103.9 WRBI begins at 7:40 pm.