The Cincinnati Reds continued their impressive run, defeating the Colorado Rockies 8-6 on Tuesday night for their tenth consecutive win. TJ Friedl led the charge with a three-run homer and a four-hit performance, while rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz added a solo shot of his own. The Reds' win marks their longest winning streak since 2012.
Will Benson also contributed a solo home run in the sixth inning, further solidifying the Reds' position atop the NL Central. De La Cruz's three-hit night was punctuated by enthusiastic chants of "Elly! Elly!" from the home crowd. Manager David Bell expressed his appreciation for the team's current success and the supportive fans.
Despite Jorge Alfaro's three-run homer in the eighth, the Rockies couldn't overcome their recent struggles and suffered their seventh straight loss. Three throwing errors by Colorado right-hander Peter Lambert in the fifth, including two on pickoff attempts, gifted the Reds two crucial runs.
Ben Lively started for Cincinnati, allowing three hits, two runs, and four walks while striking out four in four innings. Alex Young (2-0) earned the win after a clean fifth inning, and Alexis Díaz secured his 20th save in as many opportunities, despite allowing a run and facing a bases-loaded situation.
Friedl's three-run blast followed walks by Benson and Curt Casali, capitalizing on a crucial opportunity against right-hander Noah Davis. De La Cruz's solo homer in the third extended the Reds' lead, and Spencer Steer added an RBI double in the same inning. De La Cruz's speed and Lambert's throwing woes led to another run in the fifth.
Davis (0-2) also struggled with control, issuing four walks in the game. After a triumphant return on Monday with a home run and two go-ahead RBIs, designated hitter Joey Votto went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The Reds' current winning streak is their 17th of 10 or more games since 1895. Their last streak of 11 consecutive wins came in 1940, the year they won the World Series.
Rockies manager Bud Black expects Kyle Freeland to pitch on Friday after being scratched from his Monday start due to illness. The Reds reinstated Wil Myers from the injured list but designated him for assignment. The Rockies are yet to announce their starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against Cincinnati's Ben Lively (4-4).
