Offense's 14 hits make Lodolo's job easier

CINCINNATI -- Left-hander Nick Lodolo, much like fellow Reds rookie pitchers Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft, is learning on the job. It helps the education when the Reds’ offense has a day like it did on Sunday.

The 200th home run of Mike Moustakas's career highlighted a 14-hit attack as the Reds completed their first three-game sweep of the season with a 10-5 victory over the Rays at Great American Ball Park.

It is the third time the Reds have swept the Rays in a three-game series, also accomplishing the feat in 2003 and 2005. The teams hadn’t faced one another since 2017.

“The whole homestand was against good teams, and we had a winning record. It was the way we went about things,” Reds manager David Bell said.

Lodolo, who was making his second start since a 69-day stint on the IL, pitched out of a first-and-third situation in the first, retiring three straight batters, two via strikeout.

“Nick getting out of that first inning gave us a chance to get out in front,” Bell said. “This was expected. It’s still just his second start back. Even in the fourth, he limited the damage.”

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He got some defensive help in the third when Tyler Naquin threw out Taylor Walls after the Rays’ shortstop thought about taking second following his single but changed his mind too late. Naquin’s defensive play seemed to spark the Reds, who erupted for seven runs in the bottom half, their fourth seven-plus run inning this season, the most in the Majors.

Jonathan India’s third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third, was followed by Tommy Pham scoring on a throwing error after a triple and Tyler Stephenson’s two-run blast to center, putting Cincinnati ahead 5-0.

Following a single by Donovan Solano, Moustakas’ 200th career homer sailed into the right-field stands to make the score 7-0. It was a huge milestone for the 10-year veteran, who entered the game batting .111 in July.

“Pretty cool accomplishment. Took a little bit longer to get there,” Moustakas said. “I’ve won a World Series, made a couple All-Star Games, but this is up there. It’s pretty special. It’s very meaningful for me and my family.”

Moustakas said the ball and bat from his 200th home run will be displayed at his house.

“That’s a lot of home runs,” Bell said. “He still has a long way to go, too. Great accomplishment.”

Lodolo worked out of trouble in the first and third, and in the fourth he was able to minimize the damage.

After allowing a solo homer to Randy Arozarena and a two-run single by Yandy Díaz, Lodolo struck out Walls to end the inning, leaving two runners aboard.

“I didn’t feel as strong as my last start,” Lodolo said. “I kind of weathered the storm there. Wish I could have been better."

After beginning this homestand 1-3, the Reds have won four straight and five of their last eight games before heading to New York to begin a three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday.

“We’ve been showing up and fighting every day,” Moustakas said. “Let’s keep this going.”