It’s Chase Burns’ world and we’re all just living in it. The Cincinnati Reds starter moved to 7-1 on the season as he struck out eight batters in 5.1 innings. His offense had his back as they pounded out 15 hits to score seven runs in a win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
The 1st inning went well for the Reds, but it could have gone quite differently on a few different fronts. Blake Dunn walked to start the game but he was thrown out stealing second base (on a challenged call that was overturned to an out). Sal Stewart was then called out on strikes to end the inning, except when that happened the count was 3-1 and the at-bat continued. Stewart then singled into center, starting a rally that saw Spencer Steer walk and Eugenio Suarez double in two runs. Suarez was then thrown out at the plate trying to score on a single by Dane Myers to end the frame.
Cincinnati would load the bases to start the top of the 2nd inning, but Blake Dunn hit a comebacker to Mets pitcher David Peterson who fielded it and fired home for an out and then saw catcher Luis Torrens throw to first to complete a double play. Elly De La Cruz then grounded out to end the threat.
Two innings later the Reds would threaten again. Three straight singles began the 4th with Tyler Stephenson’s bringing in a run to make it 3-0. Three batters later it would be De La Cruz getting some payback as he took the first pitch he saw and lined a double to the wall in right-center to a 2-run, 2-out hit to push the lead to 5-0 for Cincinnati.
All of that was happening while Chase Burns was just cruising through the Mets lineup. He had given up just one hit and one walk while racking up six strikeouts through the first four frames. With a larger lead he had to work a bit harder in the 5th and work around a leadoff walk, but he did just that with a 19-pitch inning as he grabbed strikeouts number seven and eight of the night.
The Reds tacked on more in the top of the 6th. JJ Bleday led off with a single and then he came in to score when Tyler Stephenson doubled into the corner in left field, extending the lead to six runs. The Mets would get on the board in the bottom of the inning after Bo Bichette came through with a 1-out single and then Juan Soto hit a 2-run homer to cut the home team’s deficit to four. A single followed and that led to a pitching change as manager Terry Francona called on Sam Moll to enter the game. New York called on a pinch hitter Mark Vientos to get a right-handed bat to the plate against the lefty. Moll seemed to care little as he got a grounder to second base that turned into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
Cincinnati grabbed another run in the top of the 8th with three consecutive 2-out singles. Blake Dunn’s looping fly ball into shallow left got things started. Elly De La Cruz then hit a soft grounder past the first baseman and into right to put men on the corners. Sal Stewart then brought in a run on another grounder through the infield just beyond the glove of a diving Marcus Semien at second base.
When the bottom of the 9th inning rolled around the Reds led 7-2 and turned things over to Tony Santillan. He would get back-to-back groundouts to first base to start the inning before getting a final groundout on his 10th pitch of the inning to seal the win.
Key Moment of the Game
The 3-run 4th inning that turned a 2-run game into a 5-run lead for the Reds.
Notes Worth Noting
Cincinnati won the series with this victory and will go for the sweep on Wednesday night in the final game of the 3-game set.
Chase Burns has made 11 starts this season. This was the 10th start where he allowed two or fewer runs. It was probably his second worst start of the season. His ERA now sits at 1.96 in 64.1 innings this season where he’s struck out 72 batters with just 20 walks.
Spencer Steer was the only Reds hitter to go without a hit in the game. He walked twice, though, extending his on-base streak to 15 games. Every batter except Matt McLain reached base at least twice in the game. Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Eugenio Suarez, Dane Myers, JJ Bleday, and Tyler Stephenson all had multi-hit games.
Sam Moll lowered his ERA to 2.55 on the season with 1.2 perfect innings of relief. He also stranded an inherited runner in the game, meaning he’s now allowed just four of 17 inherited runners to score on top of his outstanding ERA.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs New York Mets
Wednesday May 27th, 7:10pm ET
Andrew Abbott (4-2, 3.97 ERA) vs TBA