The Cincinnati Reds had a lead late in the game but the bullpen was unable to hold onto it. St. Louis would get a go-ahead 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning and pick up the win to give themselves a series victory and a chance to grab a 3-game sweep on Sunday afternoon.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (31-32) | 5 | 9 | 1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals (34-28) | 6 | 12 | 1 |
| W: Soriano (3-0) L: Moll (1-4) SV: O’Brien (16) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
St. Louis got the scoring started in this game in the bottom of the 2nd inning when they would put together three straight singles to load the bases with no outs. Victor Scott II singled with one out to bring in the first run of the game and then Masyn Winn followed with a single of his own that drove in two more before Nick Lodolo could get out of the inning.
Cincinnati’s offense would go to work in the next half inning. Back-to-back walks and a 1-out single loaded the bases for the Reds. JJ Bleday then hit a chopper down the first base line that got by Alec Burleson in what was ruled an error that brought in two runs as the ball made it’s way to right field. Spencer Steer then hit a fly ball to the warning track in left for a sacrifice fly that tied the game up at 3-3.
In the 4th inning Blake Dunn singled with one out and then stole second base. Two batters later he got to trot home when Matt McLain pulled a ball down the left field line and put it into the stands for a go-ahead 2-run home run. An inning later the Cardinals would get a run back when Jordan Walker hit a home run just over the wall in right-center to make it 5-4.
With 90 pitches on the day Nick Lodolo headed back to the mound to begin the 6th inning. He’d give up a leadoff single on a line drive into center. The next batter reached on a chopper that went about 15 feet for what was initially ruled a hit but later changed to an error and after just five pitches in the inning that was it for the lefty as Terry Francona headed to the mound to call on Tejay Antone to come into the game for the Reds.
The first pitch from Antone was out of the zone and St. Louis executed a double steal. The Cardinals then called for a pinch hitter in a 1-0 count and brought Lars Nootbaar to the plate. Cincinnati countered by intentionally walking him. St. Louis then sent another pinch hitter to the plate, this time in left-handed hitter Jimmy Crooks. That plan didn’t work as Crooks hit a hard grounder to first base when Sal Stewart fielded it and fired to the plate for a force out and then P.J. Higgins fired back to Stewart at first for a double play. Antone then got another grounder to end the inning and all of the runners were stranded as the Reds held onto the 1-run lead.
Antone returned to the mound for the 7th and after giving up a leadoff single he would strike out the next two batters. Then Cincinnati went to the bullpen to call on Sam Moll who got the final out of the inning and strand the runner.
The Reds got a 2-out double from Blake Dunn in the top of the 8th but couldn’t get him in. In the bottom of the inning a leadoff single was followed by a sacrifice bunt to get the tying run into scoring position. Sam Moll then got ahead of Lars Nootbaar 0-2, but the 4th pitch of the at-bat was obliterated 433 feet into the stands in right-center for a go-ahead 2-run home run.
Cincinnati gave themselves a chance with two outs in the top of the 9th inning. Will Benson came off the bench and singled. JJ Bleday then singled to move Benson to third base. Spencer Steer then walked to load the bases for Sal Stewart. He couldn’t come through as he grounded out to second base to end the game.
Key Moment of the Game
Lars Nootbaar’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Notes Worth Noting
The loss dropped the Reds to 31-32. It’s the first time they’ve been under .500 since they lost on opening day.
Blake Dunn had three hits in the game. Dane Myers had two hits. They both also stole a base.
Spencer Steer’s walk in the 5th inning extended his on-base streak to 24 games.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals
Sunday June 7th, 2:15pm ET
Rhett Lowder (3-3, 5.40 ERA) vs Michael McGreevy (3-5, 2.98 ERA)