CINCINNATI -- The Red Sox had been out of ABS challenges for nearly six innings and also running out of patience (manager Alex Cora was ejected in the top of the eighth) by the time Wilyer Abreu stepped to the plate with two outs in the top of the ninth, his team down a run.
Boston’s blossoming right fielder, who took center stage for Team Venezuela’s championship squad earlier this month in the World Baseball Classic, changed the tenor of the game and reprised his role of home run hero on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
However, Abreu’s equalizing solo shot turned out not to be enough as the Red Sox fell, 6-5, to the Reds in 11 innings.
Cincinnati ultimately won it on a walk-off single by Dane Myers off Boston righty Justin Slaten.
Before the deflation came euphoria as Abreu raked a 2-1 splitter from Reds closer Emilio Pagán into the right-field corner to temporarily avoid defeat.
It was a chaotic afternoon and early evening in which the Sox lost their ABS challenges by the third inning (until retaining one when the game reached extras) and Cora, who was irate when home-plate umpire CB Bucknor didn’t appeal to first-base umpire Adam Beck when Trevor Story appeared to check his swing for a strikeout that stranded two runners in the top of the eighth.
Story, who hardly ever shows emotion, got heated at Bucknor before Cora intervened.
The teams have split the first two games of the season-opening series, which will conclude on Sunday afternoon.