The Cincinnati Reds (16-21) were able to match the St. Louis Cardinals (14-14) every time the visiting team got on the board. Cincinnati never trailed at the end of an inning, but they never held the lead until the game was over, as Joey Votto’s walk-off single broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 9th inning as the Reds ended the home stand on a high note.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals (14-14) |
3 | 6 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (16-21) |
4 | 4 | 0 |
| W: Iglesias (2-2) L: Gallegos (1-1) |
|||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
When St. Louis took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning, the Reds didn’t waste much time getting the run back. Eugenio Suárez led off the bottom of the frame with a double and he’d later score on a single by Shogo Akiyama. The offense went quiet from there until the bottom of the 5th, when the Reds once again fell behind in the top of the inning. Akiyama was once again involved in the scoring of the runs – he was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning. Tucker Barnhart followed with a 2-run homer that tied the game up at 3-3. It was rather quiet from that point forward for the offense, who had just three hits entering the 9th inning.
With the game still tied at 3-3, Shogo Akiyama drew a 1-out walk to put the winning run on the bases. Curt Casali followed up with a walk to move Akiyama up to second base for Joey Votto and he came through with a walk-off single into right field on an 0-2 count to bring Akiyama who beat the throw to the plate.
The Pitching
After a scoreless 1st inning, the Cardinals got to Tyler Mahle in the 2nd. Out of nowhere Reds killer Brad Miller hit his 3rd home run in the last two nights to lead off the inning and put St. Louis up 1-0. Mahle kept the Cardinals off the board over the next two innings, but in the 5th they got back at it. Yadier Molina crushed a lined drive homer out to left field, and then Kolten Wong capped off the inning with an RBI double to extend the lead to 3-1. After the Reds tied things up in the bottom of the inning, the Cardinals were shut down by Mahle for the next two innings as he went 7.0 strong frames.
Amir Garrett took over to start the 8th inning. After retiring the first two hitters of the inning, Tommy Edman singled. That led to manager David Bell going to the bullpen to bring in Raisel Iglesias to face Paul Goldschmidt, who flew out to end the inning and keep the game tied up at 3-3.
Then came the top of the 9th inning. A single to center started off the inning. Then Paul DeJong and the Cardinals caught a break from Angel Hernandez, who called a check swing a ball that should have been strike three. It wasn’t, and DeJong walked on the next pitch. Yadier Molina then laid down a sacrifice bunt, which was followed up by an intentional walk to load the bases and set up a force out at any base with Tyler O’Neill at the plate against Raisel Iglesias. Loading the bases didn’t matter there as O’Neill struck out on three pitches to bring Lane Thomas to the dish with two outs. It took a few more pitches, but Iglesias sent him back to the dugout with a strikeout, too. That set up the Reds with the chance to walk the game off in the bottom of the 9th. Good thing, too, because it worked.
Notes worth noting
It was announced during the game that Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver passed away in his sleep.
The Cincinnati Reds mourn the death of Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. pic.twitter.com/lbRQHEmEzo
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 3, 2020
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates (DOUBLE HEADER)
Thursday September 4th, 4:05pm ET
Luis Castillo (0-5, 4.10 ERA) vs. Steven Brault (0-1, 4.00 ERA)
Very sad to hear about Seaver. Such a classy man and in my mind one of the top ten pitchers all time. I am old enough to remember him pitching for the Reds and still get mad thinking about how he was robbed of the Cy Young in 1981.
I was a kid living in the NJ suburbs of NYC in the late 60’s and early 70’s. We were the Amazin’ Mets when we played. Seaver was a hero then, with the Reds, and now. Not many like him anymore.
Seaver was my all-time favorite non-Red — and then he became a Red. 🙂 I was always fascinated by pitching, and he was the best there was.
I lived in NYC in those days and my friends, who were die-hard Mets fans, couldn’t quite figure out why Seaver was traded.
No one like him in the game today. I was at the no-hitter, the only MLB. Thanks for the show Tom Terrific.
Tom Terrific. Seaver was Mr. Met and the toast of the Big Apple. He had some great years with the Reds also.
Good win.
Extremely saddened by the passing of Tom Seaver. RIP.
Adam Duval popped 3 homers tonight
Am I the only person who wonders what kind of numbers Duvall would put on the board if he wasn’t battling diabetes along with opposing pitchers through the sweltering summer dog days of a normal baseball season?
Votto deservedly gets the accolades tonight, but Iglesias deserves at least equal credit. Bases loaded, one out, and he gets out of it unscathed. Cincinnati got clutch performances in pivotal moments from both a pitcher and a hitter, and guess what — they won. 🙂
Yeah I agree about Iggy. Wasn’t too optimistic honestly. Glad he proved me wrong. Amazing how we win when things like that happen. 🙂
Tonight was a perfect example of why you need a hitter in the leadoff spot not just an OBP guy. It happened as it happens so many times in baseball. You’re in a close game, late innings, and you work hard to get the bottom of your order on base so to get to the top. That guy needs to be a hitter too so outcomes like tonight are possible. 🙂
Per the Red: “Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in!”
I was at Seaver’s first start for the Reds on a hot Saturday night against the Dodgers. Reds lost, but he pitched well.
Every great journey starts with a first small step. Let’s hope this was a first small step for the Reds tonight. Now the job is to consistently string W’s together. If they don’t, tonight will be just a momentary feel good instant in a lost season.
We need to treasure these moments like a gift from God! Joey Votto getting the game winning hit against the dreaded Cardinals. The reds are ” in the playoff hunt” in September! How many more times in our lives will we be able to say these things?
Being thankful is always a good idea. 🙂
Nice (and needed) comeback win after the debacles of the last couple games.
RIP Tom Terrific.
In the 70’s, I saw Seaver pitch into extra innings at Shea Stadium with my Dad vs. the The Big Red Machine. He was elite.
Cesar Geronimo threw out Felix Milan, who was tagging at third, from the wall in CF. Greatest throw I’ve ever seen to go with one of the greatest pitching performances I’ve seen.
When I think of Tom Seaver in a Reds uniform, the first thing that comes to mind are his appearances on the Reds Radio Star Of The Game program with Joe Nuxhall.
Seemingly the Ol’ Lefthander and Tom had a deal that any time Tom started and the Reds won the Game, it was Tom’s option to be on program. Listening to those 2 talk pitching in 10 minute bursts became a solid education in the fine art of pitching for me.
At times I have had the thought that to be able to add Cowboy Brantley to those conversations would be the perfecto trifecta.
Rest well Tom (and Joe)
Sad news about Tom Seaver, RIP, his last few years should had been very sad for his family. Reds saved series’ last game by a hair and were outscored 26-11 overall. The offensive continues to struggle, but it was good to see Votto coming out in the last minute and Akiyama slowly showing some progress. If he can improve his OBP to an acceptable level, paired with his quality defense and base running skills, he may become a key player.
Sad news about Tom Seaver, RIP, his last few years should had been very sad for his family. Reds saved series’ last game by a hair and were outscored 26-11 overall. The offensive continues to struggle, but it was good to see Votto coming out in the last minute and Akiyama slowly showing some progress. If he can improve his OBP to an acceptable level, paired with his quality defense and base running skills, he may become a key player.
RIP Tom you were terrific. Saw him pitch several times at riverfront. Once vs. Carlton and once vs. Ryan.
Never saw him pitch a bad game in person. Still at age 11 remember listening to his no hitter on radio. I can’t remember most days what I did yesterday now. But 42 years ago I remember that no hitter.
When baseball was on hold, a baseball network showed that game. I now have it on DVR.
Tom Seaver R.I.P Seaver’s only no-hitter was against the Cardinals, what a time!
They have the hardest thing ahead of them, keep winning
Just as a single. A little old boring single. That’s all he tried to do.
Thank you, Joey.
And let me just say, I have become not a very big fan of David Bell; however, his decision to sit Votto for a bit, in spite of what Joey allegedly wanted, seems to have worked. I will give him credit for that.
And a quick accurate read of the ball off the bat Akiyama also played big.
A great win…it wasn’t easy which made it greater…the elation afterwards shows me these guys are not just going through the motions but want desperately to win…their quiet dugout in losses are not about lack of desire or spirit but frustration. Great at bats by Shogo and Casali to set the stage.
Remember Seaver coming to the Reds and we all hoped it would revitalize the BRM…also remember Reds not allowed to bring on board Vida Blue…the Commish thought Seaver and Blue together was unfair!!!
Read that the hitting coach changed the pre-game routine…giving the players a heavier dose of breaking balls and speed changes with the pitching machine…Geez, sounds like they should have done that a little while ago. Read Votto going with instinct in that AB, less cerebral….Geez, sounds like he should have done that a while ago.
Tom Seaver, in my opinion , was the best pitcher I’ve seen. I was to young in the 60s to enjoy Gibson and Koufax but it seemed to me Seaver never had a bad game. He was a great pitcher his whole career. He was still capable to go out and win games at 41. I usually dont get to emotional when people pass but Seaver was just a nice guy and a great pitcher. The type of guy you would want as a friend or neighbor and you could sit on the porch and talk about anything with.
8 games against the Pirates in the next 13 days that sandwich series vs. the Cards and Cubs. Senzel will likely be back and the roster is healthy. This is the opportunity, and while they should’ve never put themselves in this position to begin with, they’re still in control of their destiny. No excuses!
You are kidding about excuses, right?!?
I don’t know how it is in other areas since I’ve lived my entire life north of the Ohio River and south of I-70 between Columbus and Indy; but, Cincinnati is the Queen City of sports team excuses.
LOL
What I remember about Tom Seaver was that you could always tell he had a good game by the dirt spot on his right knee (I think I remember announcers saying that back in the day). He was a huge proponent of the drop and drive approach to pitching,, utilizing his leg strength to pitch. Loved taht no-hitter vs. teh Cards.
I loved his speaking voice and made a great color commentator as well.
I’m sad to day. We’ve lost a true legend.
Yeah, Tom liked to joke about his “big bucket” and legs being a key to his mound success.
As good as Seaver was as a pitcher, he was just as smart and well versed. He really educated the viewer with his thoughts during telecasts. Just a great guy, a great loss.