CINCINNATI – They were twice excluded from the West Coast road trip, which was completed, but the offense of the reds brought them back to life at Great American Ball Park.
An explosion of 10 beats and seven runs in the third half featured another round of Joey Votto as Cincinnati beat Cleveland, 10-3, at the opening of Friday’s Ohio Cup series.
“It’s fun to be part of a range like this. I’m not sure if I’ve been part of a range like this in my career, “said Votto. “I’m not sure … until now. It’s very early. I don’t want to outdo myself. ”
This is how the home field advantage for tomatoes feels:
• Through seven home games, they are 6-1, including six consecutive home wins.
• The Reds scored 67 rounds in those seven games, averaging 9.57 rounds per game.
• The driving differential at home is +38, compared to minus-12 in trip 2-4.
• Overall, the Reds lead the major leagues with 85 races and are second with a .827 OPS.
“Yes, of course, we were unhappy with our trip, certainly with the way it ended,” Votto said. “It is good to be back. It’s good to play well in front of Cincinnati red fans. But we often think of being a dangerous team everywhere. Of course, we want to win as often as possible at home, but we set our eyes on bigger and better things. ”
Against Logan Allen, the Reds were withdrawn in order in each of the first two innings and were followed by a 1-0 score. The bottom half of the third half began when Kyle Farmer burned a ball through the feet of third baseman José Ramírez for an error and Tyler Stephenson was hit on the leg by a pitch. A wild pitch by Jeff Hoffman moved both runners before Hoffman hit a single RBI that tied the game in midfield.
With the door open just a crack, the Reds erupted while Hoffman’s single was the first of five consecutive hits. Against reliever Phil Maton, Eugenio Suárez shot a double two runs on the left field. In a Maton 2-1 field, Votto picked it up in reverse for a two-run homer on the center-left field – the third long ball in his last four games – to turn it into a 7- game. 1.
Entering the night, Votto hit 14 balls with output speeds of 100 mph or more, according to Statcast. On Friday, his homer was hit at 103.6 mph and the sixth half drive to the left field was 104.3 mph – and he missed just another homer. He went for a double.
“As I mentioned a few days ago, I need to put the ball in the air more,” Votto said. “It’s hard to hit the ball, but it’s better to put the ball in the air. Yes, two good swings today. We must maintain it collectively. Lots of good changes along the entire line. ”
The Reds came in fifth on Stephenson’s single in two innings and in the sixth when Nick Castellanos sent a single shot into the center-right field.
“I do not think it is a homemade thing, necessarily. I know it seemed like that up to this point, “said Reds manager David Bell. “We are trying to organize an equally effective crime both at home and on the road. I think the way we have some of these innings, you could have such innings at any stadium. ”
After working early, Hoffman allowed a winning run and seven shots in six innings with three walks and four shots. Amed Rosario hit a solo homer in the second half. As Hoffman loaded the bases on two walks and one in the third inning, the Reds bullpen began to be active. But Hoffman escaped without giving up another run and continued to enjoy a quality start.
“I think after I got my shot … it took them a while to get their first one out, so I kind of felt like I smelled blood and we have guys who, when I smell blood, go and get it,” Hoffman said. “It was a huge half for us and I took that pillow and it was like all I had to do was attack the area from then on, force contact and leave here with victory.”