After pair of late rallies, Reds earn wild win in extras on ABS challenge

MINNEAPOLIS – After scoring just one run through eight innings, the never-say-die Reds rallied late twice to complete a three-game sweep at Target Field with a 7-4 victory over the Twins in 10 innings on Sunday.

The sweep was already the second in three road series this year for the Reds, who at 14-8 are off to their best start since 2006. And their 8-2 record on the road is the best since 1990, when the future World Champions also started 8-2.

All of the key elements to the Reds’ success were on display Sunday, including a strong start from Brady Singer, more outstanding work from the bullpen and a near-flawless game on defense. The batters managed only three hits through the first eight innings, but they came through when they had to against Minnesota’s bullpen.

“Our game is so much about how you handle frustration,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “And we didn't have a whole lot going on. And then they kept plugging away, and giving us a chance.”

The key hits were provided by two players who had been struggling of late – TJ Friedl and Rece Hinds. However, the go-ahead run scored in the 10th courtesy of Minnesota’s sloppy defense, which committed two errors on the same play for the second time in the Twins’ four-game losing streak.

With automatic runner Elly De La Cruz on second and one out in the 10th, Eugenio Suárez hit a grounder that Minnesota third baseman Tristan Gray mishandled. Left fielder Austin Martin then overran the ball, allowing De La Cruz to score after he’d initially stopped at third.

Twins reliever Garrett Acton (1-1) struck out Spencer Steer, then intentionally walked Will Benson. That move backfired when Hinds doubled into the left-field corner to drive in two more runs and ignite a dugout celebration for the second straight inning.

“It felt great to finally catch a good barrel and have the whole dugout behind me,” said Hinds, who broke an 0-for-28 slide dating back to last season in Saturday’s 5-4 victory over the Twins. “All of us believe in each other no matter what happens, and we just kind of pass the baton down the lineup.”

That was the Reds’ second three-run inning in a row. Trailing 3-1 in the top of the ninth, Steer led off with a single to right off reliever Andrew Morris, who was beginning his second inning of work in just his second Major League appearance.

Tyler Stephenson then worked the count full before singling to right-center. Hinds was retired on a fly ball for the first out, but Dane Myers drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases.

Friedl then lined a pitch into right-center for a bases-clearing double to give the Reds their first lead of the day. It was the first extra-base hit of the season for Friedl, who had driven in just one run up to that point and had just three hits in his previous 34 at-bats.

“Phenomenal,” Friedl said of the moment. “I mean, it was just kind of getting out in front of one and putting the barrel on it, it felt good. It's been a lot of work behind the scenes.”

The Twins managed to tie it at 4 in the ninth against Reds closer Emilio Pagán (2-0), who gave up doubles to James Outman and Martin before retiring the side.

It was Pagán’s second blown save of the season – his first since the Reds’ second game of the year against Boston on March 28.

Graham Ashcraft pitched a scoreless 10th inning to earn his first career save. The game ended on an overturned called strike as Reds catcher P.J. Higgins, who had entered the game an inning earlier, challenged a 2-2 slider from Ashcraft that clipped the top of the zone.

In the end, it was a victory that underscores the type of baseball the Reds want to play, and the type of togetherness and tenacity that all teams want to see reflected in their players.

“Our pitching has been doing phenomenal,” Friedl said. “We're taking care of the ball on defense, which is a big point of emphasis. And with our lineup, it’s only a matter of time until the bats start rolling. I think we’re going to keep playing our game and keep being who we are.

“The closeness in the clubhouse shows when we go out on the field in how we pick each other up in situations. We really care for each other as a team, and I think that just speaks volumes.”