The Reds' offense starts to heat up in series win over the Angels
When the Cincinnati Reds returned from Seattle, the offense was in its biggest rut of the year. The Reds scored only five runs in three games as the Mariners swept them, and some of the Reds’ most important hitters were in the middle of big slumps.
The only change that the Reds made was taking some extra batting practice before games. Reds manager David Bell didn’t shuffle the lineup, and the Reds’ hitters who were struggling stuck to their identities at the plate.
Over the next two games, the Reds went on to score 14 runs.
Reds commentary Nick Lodolo Why Cincinnati Reds' Lodolo returned in Nick of time for what awaits Reds | Press Box Wag
Reds Angels Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson breaks through with a big homer as the Reds beat the Angels
On Saturday, the Reds beat the Los Angeles Angels, 7-5, to claim the series win at Great American Ball Park. The Reds fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, and they bounced right back and scored five runs during their first turn at the plate.
"We've been working hard," Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. "It's good to see everybody hitting again. We've had some good swings. Stuart (Fairchild) had a great night. Elly (De La Cruz) had four walks, which was awesome. It's a big team thing. We've got to continue this."
The Reds strung together one quality at-bat after another to take the lead. Spencer Steer singled, Stuart Fairchild doubled and Jeimer Candelario and Elly De La Cruz both walked. That set up Stephenson for his second home run in the last two games.
Stephenson powered an opposite field grand slam that gave the Reds a 5-2 lead. He’s in the middle of the most impressive power surge of his four-year big league career, consistently squaring up pitches and making hard contact. After the Angels pitched around De La Cruz and challenged Stephenson, the Reds’ catcher took advantage of his opportunity.
"I'm a big guy with long arms, and I'm trying to let my hands be as free as possible," Stephenson said. "Get myself some room with my hands to catch the ball out front and let them take care of everything else."
Angels starter Patrick Sandoval only pitched four-plus innings as the Reds consistently worked tough at-bats. For the second straight game, the Reds put a lot of stress on the Angels’ bullpen. With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, De La Cruz drew his third walk of the game and put the Reds up by five runs.
Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft was dominant through five innings. He mixed all of his pitches, filled up the strike zone and forced a lot of ground balls. He continued to build on an impressive start to the year.But following a long bottom of the fifth inning from the Reds’ offense, Ashcraft wasn’t as sharp in the sixth. He allowed a two-run homer, and Bell brought Nick Martinez in from the bullpen. Ashcraft was charged for five earned runs on Saturday, but two of them were a result of center fielder Bubba Thompson dropping a fly ball in the first inning.
The Reds gave Martinez a contract for $13 million a year with situations like this one in mind. He entered a three-run game with a runner on base and gave the Reds some high leverage long relief innings.
Martinez started the season in the Reds’ rotation, but he moved to the bullpen when Nick Lodolo returned from the injured list. The Reds value Martinez’s versatility, and the Reds are confident in Martinez’s ability to give the team quality innings whether he’s a starter, a long reliever or even a closer, if needed.
Martinez showed the impact that he can make with his versatility against the Angels. He pitched three scoreless innings and passed off the baton to Alexis Díaz, who locked down the save.
"(Martinez) is such a professional," Bell said. "He loves being a part of a team and doing anything he can to help the team win. It really shows. We've asked him to do a lot."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The Reds' offense starts to heat up in series win over the Angels
