The Cincinnati Reds looked like they were about to drop two in a row to the Colorado Rockies, who entered the series an incredible 51 games under .500. But Noelvi Marte and Will Benson played big roles in helping the home team come from behind in the final three innings that culminated in a walk-off win as the Reds evened up the series at one game a piece.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rockies (22-73) | 3 | 8 | 1 |
| Cincinnati Reds (49-47) | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| W: Pagan (2-2) L: Vodnik (3-3) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Cincinnati grabbed an early lead on Saturday afternoon. Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz both singled in the bottom of the 1st and put McLain at third where he would then come in to score on a sacrifice fly by Austin Hays. Their lead would only last for another inning. An infield hit on a chopper led off the top of the 3rd and two batters later Ryan Ritter gave the Rockies the lead with a home run into the seats in left field to make it 2-1.
An inning later Brady Singer found himself in trouble again after Hunter Goodman lined a ball into right field and got by a diving Will Benson, leading to a triple to begin the inning. Singer turned around and struck out the next three hitters to get himself out of that jam.
The Reds had a few different opportunities in the bottom of the 6th inning, but a double play erased a runner and then they would load the bases before a strikeout would end the threat and keep the Rockies up 2-1. The failure to plate a run or more there was made to feel even bigger as a Brady Singer 1-out walk in the top of the 7th came around to score when Yanquiel Fernandez doubled to extend Colorado’s lead to two runs. In the bottom of the inning the Reds got that run back when Noelvi Marte jumped all over a 96 MPH fastball and hit it 399 feet and into the seats in left center to bring his team back within a run.
Graham Ashcraft, who recorded the final two outs of the 7th, returned for another inning and made quick work of the Rockies lineup in the 8th. The Reds would get a 1-out single from Austin Hays, but a double play would follow and end the inning.
Cincinnati sent Emilio Pagan to the mound for the 9th and he would walk Jordan Beck to start the inning and then give up a single to Michael Toglia to put runners on the corners. Pagan would strike out the next two batters before getting a ground out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the 9th the Rockies turned to Victor Vodnik. Things didn’t go his way. The first pitch he threw was singled into left field by Spencer Steer. The next pitch he threw hit high off of the wall in left-center for a game-tying RBI triple by Will Benson. With Jose Trevino due up, the Reds sent Jake Fraley to the plate to pinch hit for him, but he drew a walk. Noelvi Marte, who has been swinging a hot bat, didn’t hit the ball hard, but he put it in play and sometimes that’s all that is needed because on this play Orlando Arcia couldn’t come up with the ball cleanly and Will Benson slid across the plate for the winning run as Cincinnati came from behind to win 4-3 and even up the series.
Key Moment of the Game
Will Benson’s triple in the 9th that tied the game up and put him 90 feet away from being the winning run.
Notes Worth Noting
The Reds 2-5 hitters all had two hits on the day.
Cincinnati hitters only struck out twice on the day. Reds pitchers struck out 11 Rockies, earning plenty of fans free pizza for their efforts.
In this afternoon’s MLB Futures Game in Atlanta the Reds Sal Stewart and Alfredo Duno each went 0-1 in the game.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies vs Cincinnati Reds
Sunday July 13th, 1:40pm ET
Austin Gomber (0-2, 5.92 ERA) vs Nick Martinez (6-9, 4.85 ERA)
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