Match report from Monday: Reds 6, Cardinals 1
By Rob Rains
In his first appearance in the Reds’ batting order on Monday night, Sonny Gray recorded seven strikeouts and seemed to have the game completely under control.
Two pitches in the third inning changed this and also the outcome of the game.
Spencer Steer hit a two-run home run and on Gray’s next pitch, Elly De La Cruz hit a home run to give the Reds the lead. Two innings later, Steer hit a three-run home run and the Reds took a clean sweep in the opener of the three-game series in Cincinnati.
Steer’s second home run came immediately after Cardinals manager Oli Marmol was ejected for arguing over balls and strikes following a walk by Will Benson. It was Marmol’s fourth ejection this year.
In his first game back with the Cardinals since April 23, Jordan Walker walked in his first at-bat before being taken out of the game in each of his next three at-bats.
With the loss, the Cardinals’ record is now just one game above .500 at 60-59.
This is how the game went on Monday evening:
On the plate: The Cardinals loaded the bases in the second and third innings and could only score one run, scored on an RBI single by Nolan Arenado… In the second inning, Pedro Pages hit an inning-ending double play, and with two outs looming in the third, Brendan Donovan struck out to end the inning… The Cardinals had just one hit on an infield single by Paul Goldschmidt in the third and a single by Pages in the seventh inning, as the Reds struck out 20 of the Cardinals’ final 21 batters.
On the hill: Gray walked the first batter in the third inning before allowing two straight home runs…A leadoff single set the stage for a three-run fifth inning, followed by a walk to Benson before Steer’s second home run that extended the lead to 6-1…Gray has now allowed 17 home runs this season…He allowed five hits in five innings and struck out nine…Kyle Leahy and Shawn Armstrong combined to throw the final three innings, allowing just an infield single and a walk.
Important statistics: The Reds stole three bases in this game, bringing the total the Cardinals have allowed this season to 113. Only 19 runners were caught stealing.
Noteworthy: Walker was recalled from Memphis when Matt Carpenter was placed on the injured list with a back strain … In his final 11 games for Memphis, Walker had a .326 average with three home runs, three doubles and a triple … Lance Lynn threw a bullpen session before the game and the Cardinals will see how he recovers Tuesday before deciding the next step in his return from the injured list. He may be activated Wednesday … Steven Matz is scheduled to start again for Memphis on Friday night.
Outlook: Erick Fedde will start in the second game of the series against the Reds on Tuesday night.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
