The Cincinnati Reds split the final two games of their road series with the Dodgers over the weekend. Thanks to Atlanta’s
series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Reds are now in sole possession of first place in the NL Central by half a game.
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On Saturday, the Reds lost 3-2. The Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead on a Max Muncy 2-run home run in the bottom of the first.
Cincinnati tied the game in the top of the 6th with a Kevin Newman sacrifice fly and a Spencer Steer RBI single.
In the bottom of the inning, Max Muncy hit another home run to give the Dodgers a 3-2 advantage that they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.
In the 8th and 9th innings, the Reds had the game-winning run at the plate. However, they weren’t able to capitalize, giving the Dodgers the win.
Luke Weaver took the loss on the mound, allowing 1 run and 2 hits in 6 innings pitched.
Spencer Steer went 1-4 with an RBI.
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On Sunday, the Reds rebounded in grand style, shutting out the Dodgers 9-0.
Graham Ashcraft had an excellent outing on the mound in the win, allowing 5 hits and no runs in 6 innings of work.
Cincinnati started the game off hot with three runs in the top of the 1st inning. TJ Friedl knocked in the first run on a double. Jake Fraley drove in the second run on a single to center. The final run of the inning scored on a Spencer Steer groundout to third.
Elly De La Cruz hit his 7th home run of the season in the 2nd to give the Reds a 4-0 lead.
Cincinnati’s lead went up to 7-0 in the 3rd with a solo home run by Matt McClain and a 2-run blast by Joey Votto.
The final two runs of the game were scored on a Friedl single to center in the 6th and a Votto double to left in the 9th, to give the Reds a 9-0 victory, improving their record to 58-49 on the season.
Cincinnati opens up a 3-game road series in Chicago tonight against the Cubs. Coverage on 103.9 WRBI begins at 7:35.