CINCINNATI -- Just as the Reds' offense has finally provided some bigger output, designated hitter Eugenio Suárez went on the 10-day injured list with a mild left oblique strain. It's no doubt a blow to the middle of the order since Suárez provided protection to Sal Stewart, who provided protection for Elly De La Cruz.
But there's some depth that should help cover the loss. Also it would be a boost if the offense continues to spread hits around.
“That’s the hope," manager Terry Francona said on Saturday afternoon. "You never want to lose somebody. Saying that, if somebody gets hot, you’re OK. Over the course of a whole year, it probably would really grab you. But if you go a couple of weeks and somebody gets hot, you can cover it.”
Stewart and De La Cruz still contributed big during Saturday's 9-2 win against the Tigers at Great American Ball Park. While Stewart went 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs, De La Cruz also reached three times and added his ninth homer. And the hero of Friday's game, Nathaniel Lowe, also hit his third homer in the last two games.
Besides winning seven of their last eight games, the Reds have also won nine of their last 11 while averaging 5.55 runs per game. Despite still ranking last in MLB in team batting average (.213) and 25th in OPS (.682), Cincinnati has an 18-9 record and owns sole possession of first place in the National League Central.
Lowe, who made the club out of camp after signing a Minor League contract on Feb. 14, filled in Friday after Suárez was a late lineup scratch and then slugged his first two homers as a Red. It included the walk-off two-run homer in a 9-8 win over the Tigers.
“Everyone knows how much I think of Geno. It’s going to suck not to have him hitting in our lineup," said Stewart, who also has nine homers. "He’s such a great player and he’s done it for so long. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to pick him up and that’s what this team is about. While he gets ready and heals up, we’ll find ways to go out there and help the team win. And we can’t wait to have him back.”
Outfielder JJ Bleday was recalled from Triple-A Louisville to replace Suárez on the active roster. Bleday, who was one of the final camp cuts after a strong Spring Training, carried it into his season and was batting .341 with a 1.121 OPS, six home runs and 19 RBIs in 24 games for the Bats.
“It’s tough, but you have a goal in mind," Bleday said of being sent down. "It’s to keep being consistent and use it to work on some things and get ready for when this moment does come. It’s always a bummer not making the team out of camp, but right now, I feel like I’m in a good spot."
It was a positive that Matt McLain has gotten going lately, and he also hit two homers during Friday's come-from-behind effort. Spencer Steer has gotten hotter since a rough start and TJ Friedl has been hitting the ball on the barrel more recently.
"We’ve been playing good baseball all the way around, clean baseball," said Friedl, who went 3-for-4 and hit his first homer of the season in the eighth inning. "Pitching has been incredible and we've been playing good defensively. It was only a matter of time until we started getting things rolling on the offensive side.”
Suárez primarily was the DH but also played third base in place of Ke'Bryan Hayes on occasion. To fill the DH role, Francona has options.
“I honestly don’t know that it’s going to be one guy," Francona said. "There will be some mixing and matching.”
After McLain and De La Cruz drew one-out walks in the bottom of the first against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty as Cincinnati trailed, 1-0, Stewart crushed a 1-1 pitch for a three-run homer to left field. Lowe made it back-to-back homers with his drive to right field.
In the second inning with two outs, De La Cruz ambushed a 2-2 breaking ball from Flaherty for a two-run homer and a 6-1 Reds lead. With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Stewart grounded a two-run single through the right side.
Stewart’s 29 RBIs through 27 games are the most by a rookie since José Abreu had 32 in the White Sox's first 27 games in 2014. He is now tied with Tony Perez (29 in 1970) for the second-most RBIs in the Reds' first 27 games of a season, trailing only Frank Robinson (32 in 1959).
“That was awesome. The bats have been incredible," said Reds starter Brady Singer, who allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings for the victory. "Just really good at-bats from our guys and putting runs on the board early. Obviously, it’s helping us out on the pitching staff.”