Reds continue push against playoff teams with all-around comeback win

CINCINNATI – Jose Trevino appreciated the confidence the Reds had in him to deliver success in a crucial moment on Tuesday. The backup catcher was entrusted to bat for himself with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth of a tied game.

Manager Terry Francona could have gone to hot-hitting regular catcher Tyler Stephenson, but he wanted Trevino to face hard-throwing lefty reliever Adrian Morejon.

“Stevo was going to hit next, but Trevi is one of our better guys at getting to velocity," Francona said.

On a full count against Morejon, Trevino lined a 99.8 mph sinker into center field that scored the go-ahead run in a 4-3 Reds win over San Diego. The teams split the first two games of the series with the rubber game scheduled for Wednesday.

“I just felt comfortable in general that Tito trusts me in that situation, and then my teammates too," Trevino said. "You look in the dugout and see guys like, ‘Let’s go, let’s go!’ Right now, obviously September, it’s tough so you just got to find confidence. I found it in my teammates.”

Opening the bottom of the eighth inning against Morejon in a 2-2 game, Elly De La Cruz drew a walk. Sal Stewart then lined a single to right-center field to put runners on the corners. With one out, Matt McLain was intentionally walked to load the bases for Trevino.

After Trevino delivered, the newly recalled Juan Brito fouled off back-to-back full-count pitches and then sent a sacrifice fly to left field that brought home Stewart for a two-run lead.

“It was a really good at-bat," Francona said of Brito.

Here are three more takeaways from the game:

1. Quality start for Lodolo

In one of his better starts since returning from the injured list with a blister last month, Nick Lodolo completed six innings for the first time since July 5. Lodolo allowed two runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in a no-decision.

“I thought I made good pitches. I would like to be in the zone still a little bit more. That’s something I’m hunting for sure," Lodolo said.

Lodolo, who had a 7.71 ERA in his previous four starts after being activated, gave up a one-out triple to Samad Taylor in the first inning, who scored on Manny Machado's sacrifice fly as the next batter. The lefty also allowed a Jase Bowen leadoff triple in the third inning and loaded the bases with one out, but escaped unscathed when Ty France grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

“It’s huge. It keeps you in the game," Lodolo said. "To get out of that inning, execute a pitch, that’s the kind of thing you’re looking for when you’re trying to get on a roll.”

A Fernando Tatis Jr. solo homer to right field put San Diego ahead, 2-1, in the top of the fifth inning.

Already having thrown 90 pitches on a steamy night, Lodolo helped the bullpen by returning for the top of the sixth inning. He retired the side in order while needing just 10 more pitches to finish his night.

“That’s huge, man," Trevino said. "He’s been putting in a ton of work since coming back from the IL. For him to have a good night tonight — obviously a couple of hits there and the homer — I thought he threw the ball well.”

2. Mey comes through

Since being recalled on Aug. 5 for his third big league stint of the season, reliever Luis Mey has had some strong appearances. After giving up a run in each of his previous three outings, the right-handed Mey came through in a big spot when he replaced Lodolo for the seventh inning.

The inning began with a walk and a catcher's interference that put the first two batters on. Mey struck out Bowen and Tatis before getting a fielder's choice grounder to escape the inning clean.

“The Mey from last year might have given up runs, and he doesn’t seem to be doing that now. I think there’s a lot of growth there," Francona said.

In 11 appearances since his latest recall from Triple-A Louisville, Mey has a 1.76 ERA.

3. Pagán keeps it rolling

Closer Emilio Pagán, a former Padre, gave up Tatis' second homer of the night with two outs in the ninth inning, but still earned his 20th save in 23 chances this season. Since he returned from a two-month stint on the IL (left hamstring strain), Pagán has converted each of his 14 save opportunities since July 5, the longest streak of his career.