In a game against the Colorado Rockies, the Cincinnati Reds extended their winning streak to 10 games with an 8-6 victory. TJ Friedl had a memorable night, hitting a three-run homer and collecting four hits in total. Rookie Elly De La Cruz also contributed with a solo home run, and Will Benson added a solo homer as well.
The Reds’ winning streak is their longest since 2012 when they also won 10 consecutive games. Their strong performance has helped them maintain their lead in the NL Central division. The team is motivated to avoid losing after experiencing the feeling of defeat.
Despite Jorge Alfaro’s three-run homer for the Rockies in the eighth inning, the Reds held on for the win. The Rockies suffered their seventh straight loss.
The Reds capitalized on several defensive errors by Rockies pitcher Peter Lambert, scoring two runs in the fifth inning. Nolan Jones hit a solo homer in the first inning for the Rockies, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory.
Cincinnati pitcher Ben Lively allowed four walks and gave up three hits and two runs in four innings. Alex Young, the second of six pitchers used by the Reds, earned the victory, while Alexis Díaz recorded his 20th save in 20 opportunities.
Friedl’s three-run homer came in the second inning after back-to-back walks. De La Cruz hit an opposite-field homer in the third, showcasing his power as a switch-hitter.
The Reds’ winning streak is a testament to their resilience and ability to come from behind. They have had 25 come-from-behind victories, the most in the National League this season.
Joey Votto, who had an impressive return on Monday after a 10-month absence, struggled in this game, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
The Reds’ winning streak is a significant achievement, as they have had 17 streaks of 10 or more consecutive wins since 1895. Their last 11-game winning streak was in 1940 when they won the World Series.
The Rockies had not yet decided on a starting pitcher for their next game against the Reds. Cincinnati will send Ben Lively to the mound.
The San Francisco Giants continued their winning streak, securing their ninth consecutive victory with a 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres. Joc Pederson played a crucial role in the game, hitting a game-tying home run in the eighth inning and drawing the winning walk in the ninth.
Pederson’s bases-loaded walk came against Padres’ closer Josh Hader, a four-time All-Star. The walkoff victory marked the Giants’ third such win this season and the first time they achieved back-to-back game-ending wins since 2019. The Giants hadn’t won a game with a walkoff walk since 2016.
The winning streak has been a testament to the team’s collective effort, with each player contributing in different ways. The Giants’ strong chemistry and trust among the players have been evident, with players celebrating and showing comfort in taking walks.
In the ninth inning, Luis Matos started with a walk, followed by a single from Patrick Bailey. Pinch-hitter Casey Schmitt drew a walk, leading to Hader being replaced by Martinez. After striking out David Villar, Hader walked Joc Pederson in a seven-pitch at-bat to bring in the winning run.
Tyler Rogers recorded the final three outs to secure the victory for the Giants. Fernando Tatis Jr. had a notable performance for the Padres, hitting his team-leading 15th home run and collecting three hits.
Padres starter Seth Lugo returned from a right calf strain and pitched well against the strong Giants lineup. He struck out five batters in five innings, allowing only three hits and one run.
The Giants loaded the bases in the seventh inning but managed to score only one run on an RBI single by Brandon Crawford after a double play. Anthony DeSclafani, the Giants’ starter, had six strikeouts but allowed eight hits and three runs in five innings.
In other news, Major League Baseball announced that a Negro Leagues tribute game will be held at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 20, 2024, between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals. The game will honor former Giants great Willie Mays, who began his professional career with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948. Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., served as the home stadium for the Birmingham Black Barons from 1924 to 1960.
The Giants also paid tribute to former manager Roger Craig, who popularized the phrase “Humm Baby,” by adding a sign with the phrase on their outfield wall in right-center. The sign will remain there for the rest of the season.
Looking ahead, Padres’ right-hander Yu Darvish will face the Giants in the next game, while the Giants will start right-hander Ryan Walker, who will make his second start after 11 bullpen appearances. Darvish is coming off a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed six earned runs in five innings.