Reds Sweep Nationals Heading into Important Weekend
ISSUE #9: Joey Votto is Young and Hip, De La Cruz Dunks on Davey, and Another Serviceable Start from Ashcraft
Thursday’s win over the Nationals marked the Reds first four-game sweep since August 2021, and also their 20th game in a row that they have hit a home run. If any Red hits a one tomorrow, it will match their 1956 streak of 21—the longest in club history. Lots of records have been floating around this team this year.
The Reds briefly overtook the Tampa Bay Rays this week for most stolen bases, but now (at least according to this page) have fallen back behind. The Rays are at 108 and the Reds are at 106 - the third place team has only 89. In the last 30 days, they have stolen 48 bases, by far the most of any team in that span.
Joey Votto and the Reds enter their final series before the all-star break with a two game lead in the division. The Brewers are on their tail, and will have a chance to catch up with the next six games are between these two teams. Three to close out the break and three to start the second half. July is an important month in the National League Central to say the least.
Song of the Day
Reds @ Nationals Recap
These recaps, in my opinion, have been getting a little long. Rather than going over every run scored, I’ll hit the big moments and move on. We will see if its better.
LIL’ RED MACHINE
ELLY DE LA CRUZ— 10 for 18, 1 HR, 3 2B, 3 SB, 3 RBI
Monday 7/3
Reds 3 - 2 Nationals
Luke Weaver started pitching this game, and didn’t give up a run in the first inning! That’s a step in the right direction when the team really needs to keep its bullpen rested. He threw 5 innings and only gave up 2 earned runs and striking out 2. Joey Votto hit a 2 run homer in the 4th inning to make it 3-0. The Nationals tried to rally but was shut down by a combination of Ian Gibaut, Buck Farmer, a freshly reinstated-from-IL Derek Law, and the ever reliable Alexis Diaz.
Joey Votto gave this interview after the win.
Tuesday 7/4
Reds 8 - 4 Nationals
David Bell called up Brett Kennedy, who last pitched in the majors in 2018, to start this game. He also pitched 5 innings and struck out 2, but gave up 4 runs. It was a respectable start, especially because he was helped by the Reds offense, who scored early and never fell behind.
Jonathan India hit two homers in this game; two solo shots in the 3rd in the 6th innings. He batted in 4 runs and scored 3 times.
Elly De La Cruz was 4 for 4, as was Spencer Steer (who got 4 hits on 4 pitches).
The Reds stole 5 bases in this game. Newman, Fraley, McLain, and Elly all stole second base. Fraley and Elly both stole third.
Wednesday 7/5
Reds 9 - 2 Nationals
In another encouraging pitching performance, Graham Ashcraft took the mound on Wednesday and got the job done. 6 innings pitched, 1 earned run, and—yep, 2 strikeouts. The Nationals scored on a wild pitch in the first inning and it looked like things might spiral quickly out of control. He walked 3 and allowed 7 hits. It wasn’t a nerve-free start, but most of the contact was weak and Washington never mustered the gumption to compete with another offensive explosion.
The entire Reds lineup got at least one hit on Thursday, three players (Friedl, Fraley, and Benson) got 2 hits, and two (Votto, Elly) had 3 hits. All of Elly’s hits were for extra bases. 1 HR and 2 doubles.
Friedl, Fraley, and Benson all stole second. Elly stole third.
4 of the 9 runs scored by the Reds were 2-out RBI
In the second inning of this game, Nationals manager Davey Martinez requested the umpires check Elly’s bat. He puts a rubber cap on the bottom of the handle, and was told to remove it after the umpires were unsure of its legality. He was later allowed to bat with it after it was made clear to the umpiring crew that the cap had been cleared with MLB prior to the season.
Elly hit a 455 foot frozen-rope home run to the second deck in right center, and got cheeky with his celebration. I thought it was awesome—a quiet ‘nice try’ that wasn’t too show-boaty. That sort of thing can only be good for the game as a whole, and I am confident that players are, in general, capable of celebrating without being disrespectful towards the opposing team.
Davey Martinez after the game was quoted:
“I love the way he plays the game. I didn’t like his antics after he hit the home run. We can do without that. He’s only got two weeks in the big leagues. But he’s gonna be a good player”
Of course you could do without that. He lit you up and you didn’t like it. Keep in mind this is the same manager who printed out a screenshot from a bad umpire call during a game and brought the photo to his post game press conference. I bet the umps could have done without that too. No one enjoys getting dunked on, Davey Boy.
Thursday 7/6
Reds 5 - 4 Nationals
Brandon Williamson started the game, but was only able to pitch 3 innings because of a lengthy rain delay right in the middle of his innings. Tony Santillan was the Red’s pitcher credited with the win after he shut the Nationals down in the bottom of the 9th to allow the Reds another chance in extra innings.
Tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth, Nick Senzel hit a two run bomb that was ultimately the deciding factor. Alexis Diaz allowed a run to score in the 10th but did as he always does, and shut the door on the Reds 20th win in 24 games.
Will Benson hit his 2nd double of this series in this game. Joey Votto scored him from second on a game-tying pinch-hit single to right field.
Elly hit his third double of the series, also scoring a game tying run.
This was the teams 32nd comeback win of the season.
Looking Ahead
The Reds head into (and out of) the All-Star Break with a 3 game set against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is a huge opportunity to use their momentum to push their best competition for the division down in the standings.
I like the Reds chances against this Brewers team, and I think I can say that with little bias. Milwaukee has some great pitching, but I have seen nothing in the last month to tell me that that intimidates the Reds. The main weakness in Cincinnati is in the starting pitching, but the Brewers rank 22nd in the league in runs scored. If the Reds’ offense can keep pace with the Braves, there is no reason they can’t handle an offense that is currently treading water.
Fridays game is an 8:10 start. Andrew Abbot should face Corbin Burnes, so we could be in for a good old-fashioned pitchers duel.
Burnes’ last start: 7.0 innings, 1 hit, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts
Abbots last start: 7.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts