Instant Reaction: Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl Power Reds to 7-2 Win Over Rays

CINCINNATI, OH - The Cincinnati Reds (54-50) got the homestead off to a rip roaring start as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays (53-51) by a score of 7-2.

The Reds were able to do something that not a lot of teams have done to Rays pitching and that was string hits together. They also saw a couple of long balls feed into their touchdown total score.

TWO BOMBS

Tyler Stephenson (8th home run) and TJ Friedl (10th) went deep in this game. Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell (8-8, 3.72 ERA) came into this game having allowed the most home runs in the major leagues and that continued.

Friedl’s was a no-doubter that would have been a homer in every ballpark in MLB. Stephenson’s was a bit more of a Great American Ballpark special as he only would have touched em all in 10 of the 30 MLB parks.

MIDDLE OF THE ORDER MASHING

Elly De La Cruz was on fire, no matter the Tampa pitcher on the mound. He noticed four hits in this one, including two doubles. Right behind him was Austin Hays with three singles on the night and a pair of runs scored.

De La Cruz is now batting .283 on the season.

PITCHING GETS THE JOB DONE

Nick Martinez (9-9, 4.69) was not his best self, but he was still solid. He allowed just a pair of runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five. No homers allowed, either.

The bullpen was really impressive, though. Lyon Richardson, Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagan all combined four four shutout innings. They also had more strikeouts (five) than base runners (two walks and two hits).

Also of note, both Santillan and Ashcraft got swings-and-misses on 56% of their pitches.

The Reds will go for the series win tomorrow on Margaritaville Night. Andrew Abbott will take the hill against the Rays’ Ryan Pepiot. First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET. There will be a concert by The Landsharks following the conclusion of the game.