Spencer Steer’s pivotal three-run homer in the eighth inning fueled the Cincinnati Reds to a thrilling 9-6 victory over the New York Mets in Saturday’s matchup at Cincinnati.
Trailing 5-4 as they entered the eighth inning, the Reds mounted an impressive rally. Elly De La Cruz ignited the charge with a crucial single that brought home pinch-runner Bubba Thompson. Steer then delivered a powerful drive to left-center off Yohan Ramírez (0-1), marking his third homer of the season and propelling the Reds into the lead.
“Spencer’s ability to step up in critical moments has been evident since last season,” praised Reds manager David Bell. “He thrives on these pressure situations and always wants to be in the spotlight.”
The Reds’ offensive onslaught saw 10 batters stepping up to the plate in the eighth inning, capitalizing on Ramírez’s struggles, who threw 53 pitches over two innings.
Meanwhile, the Mets, who had utilized four relievers in Friday’s triumph, found themselves stretched thin in the bullpen, particularly with closer Edwin Díaz unavailable after pitching in consecutive games.
“We were facing some challenges in the bullpen today with several key players unavailable,” acknowledged Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “We had to rely on Ramírez and keep López ready for a potential save situation.”
Ramírez had maintained a perfect seventh inning before the Reds launched their rally in the eighth.
Reflecting on the game-changing moment, Steer remarked, “Putting the ball in play led to positive outcomes for us today. We were consistently putting together strong at-bats, and the home run was certainly a bonus.”
While the Mets displayed offensive prowess, with Omar Narváez notching three hits and two RBIs, it was Cincinnati’s resilience that ultimately secured the win.
Cincinnati jumped ahead early with two runs in the second inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Mets. However, New York responded strongly, scoring four runs in the fourth inning against Nick Martinez.
Despite a valiant effort from both teams, it was the Reds who emerged victorious, setting the stage for an exciting series finale.
Looking ahead, the Reds are poised to start left-hander Andrew Abbott in Sunday’s matchup, while the Mets will counter with left-hander Sean Manaea, promising another intriguing contest to conclude the series.
Leave a Reply