RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIf the Cincinnati Reds are going to pull off an improbable run to back-to-back playoff appearances while leapfrogging several teams along the way, taking care of business at home against lesser competition is a must.
The Reds checked that box this week at Great American Ball Park, finishing a sweep of the city-less Athletics with a 6-5 victory on Thursday, Aug. 6 in front of 17,617 fans.
It’s the Reds’ first series sweep since taking all three from the Minnesota Twins April 17-19 at Target Field as part of the team’s 20-11 start before a two-month nosedive began on May 1.
The Reds are now 13-6 since the All-Star break and have won five of six series overall. They haven’t been this close to .500 (56-58) since taking two of three from the Yankees in June.
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Still looking up at four teams for the National League’s third wild card, they’ll try to build off that momentum on the road against the Washington Nationals and AL Central-leading White Sox.
For the third consecutive game, the Reds had to come from behind. They trailed 3-0 in Tuesday’s opener and fell behind after the first batter of the game on Wednesday. In the series finale, the A’s scored three times off Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott to take a 3-1 advantage.
Abbott faced the minimum through three innings, but allowed four hits and a walk to the first five batters in the fourth. With a bullpen day coming up in D.C. against the Nationals on Friday, Abbott returned to fire 6 ⅔ innings of three-run ball for his fourth quality start in his last six outings.
Offensively, it was the usual suspects behind Cincinnati’s power surge as Elly De La Cruz opened the game with a solo homer. After the A’s climbed in front, Sal Stewart continued to strengthen his Rookie of the Year campaign with his 25th long ball of the year. Tyler Stepenson followed two batters later with his first hit since emotionally staying with the club through the trade deadline - a game-tying solo shot to center field.
After scoring the tying and go-ahead run in the eighth inning on Tuesday through wild pitches, the Reds once again took advantage of inaccurate A’s pitching.
The Reds broke a 3-3 tie on bases-loaded walks from Eugenio Suarez and Dan Myers against A’s reliever Elvis Alvarado, who inherited a traffic jam on the basepaths when starter Mason Barnett hit Matt McLain to begin the inning and walked JJ Bleday.
The Reds added insurance in the seventh on a solo shot by Bleday, marking the first time since 2021 that the first four hitters in the Cincinnati order have homered in the same game.
Brock Burke's second save of this season was not without drama. Burke gave up an infield single to Lawrence Butler, then Brian Serven's two-run homer pulled the A's within a run. Burke recovered to retire Alika Williams and Jonathan Ornelas to bring out the brooms.
Cincinnati Reds look to take momentum on the road
Coming off of a 7-3 homestand, the Reds will start a three-game weekend series against the Washington Nationals on Friday, Aug. 7.
Francona said Friday's contest will be a bullpen day, and the recently recalled Luis Mey (7.27 ERA in seven appearances) could serve as the opener. Chase Burns and Brady Singer are slated to start the final two games.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds ride Abbott, long ball to series sweep of Athletics
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