CINCINNATI — Trade Deadline winds are blowing stronger with moves starting to happen around Major League Baseball the past couple of days. For the Reds, the time is ripe for catching a breeze to both stay in the postseason hunt and position themselves for dealing before Thursday.
Friday night’s homestand-opening 7-2 victory over the Rays at Great American Ball Park was the latest in terms of a much-needed win following a 3-3 road trip to New York and Washington. With back-to-back victories, Cincinnati (54-50) is one game out in the National League Wild Card race.
Tampa Bay held a 2-1 lead until the Reds got a little crafty and a little lucky to make things happen in the bottom of the fourth inning. With Austin Hays running from first base on Gavin Lux’s grounder to first base, the fielder’s choice throw from Jonathan Aranda hit Hays in the back to leave everybody safe. A surprise bunt single back to pitcher Zack Littell loaded the bases.
On a one-out grounder, Will Benson hustled and beat the throw to first base on a would-be inning-ending double play that allowed Hays to score the tying run. Noelvi Marte’s single through the left side scored Lux for the go-ahead run. TJ Friedl kept the rally going with another bunt single, but Cincinnati could not add on.
The add-on came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Marte hit a two-out double to right-center field and was followed by Friedl, who slugged a two-run home run into the right-field bullpen for a three-run lead. Tyler Stephenson, who hit a solo homer in the second inning, provided insurance with a two-run single to left field in the seventh.
Reds starter Nick Martinez gave up two runs on four hits and two walks to go with five strikeouts over five innings.
