Surging Reds sweep, move back over .500
CINCINNATI – Eugenio Suárez hit an early two-run homer and the surging Cincinnati Reds climbed back over .500 for the first time since April 21, beating the Colorado Rockies 6-2 Sunday.
The Reds have won 10 of their last 13, including three straight over the Rockies. It was the Reds' first sweep of Colorado in Cincinnati since 2006.
“It was a great series,” Reds manager David Bell said. “A lot of great things happened – offense, bullpen and starting pitching.”
Tony Santillan, recalled from Triple-a Louisville on Saturday to make his major league debut while filling in for injured Sonny Gray, fell one out short of qualifying for the win. The 24year-old right-hander allowed one run on five hits and four walks in 4 2-3 innings, striking out five.
Santillan needed 97 pitches to get 14 outs, leaving with the bases loaded and rain falling. He also hit two batters.
“It wasn't a pretty line, but I battled out of tough situations,” Santillan said. “I can be happy and build off that.”
Ryan Hendrix, the first of five Reds relievers, came in and struck out Dom Nuñez swinging on a ball in the dirt blocked by Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart.
“It's nice having Tucker back there,” said Hendrix (3-1), who got credit for the win. “He blocks everything.”
Barnhart helped Santillan escape a second-inning jam, hustling around the plate umpire to make a sliding catch of pitcher Antonio Senzatela's popped-up bunt near Colorado's ondeck circle with runners on first and third and one out.
The Rockies stranded 10 runners in the first five innings, twice leaving the bases loaded, on the way to their fourth straight loss and seventh in their last nine. They left 12 runners on in the game and were swept on the
road for the fifth time this season.
Colorado fell to 5-27 on the road, on pace to break the worst road record in major league history, the 13-65 mark by the 1935 Boston Braves. The Rockies are hitting a big league-worst .201 on the road and a major league-high .277 at home.
Suárez followed Joey Votto's RBI single in the second with his 14th homer of the season, a drive that left fielder Raimel Tapia watched sail into the stands after just two steps.
Senzatela (2-7) lasted two batters into the seventh inning, leaving after Shogo Akiyama's pinch-hit double off the right field wall put runners at second and third. Jesse Winker had a two-run double in the inning.
Every Reds starter except Barnhart finished with one hit.
RARE SWEEP
The last time time the Reds swept Colorado at all was July 27-29, 2012, at Coors Field.
UP NEXT
Reds: Cincinnati visits the Brewers on Monday. RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (2-1) limited Milwaukee to six hits and two runs in last start on Wednesday.