MINNEAPOLIS – It took the Cincinnati Reds until the ninth inning of their series finale in Minnesota, but the lowest-scoring team in the majors unloaded a week’s worth of runs on the Twins in two innings to pull off an extra-inning victory and second series sweep of the season.
Stymied for eight innings as they have been much of the season, the Reds broke out for three runs in the ninth for a short-lived lead, then took advantage of an error and a Rece Hinds double for three more in the 10th on Sunday to beat the Twins 7-4.
With one out in the 10th, Eugenio Suárez grounded a ball toward left that third baseman Tristan Gray misplayed for an error, allowing automatic-runner Elly De La Cruz to jog into third, and when left fielder Austin Martin subsequently mishandled the roller past Gray, De La Cruz sprinted home with the go-ahead run.
A strikeout and walk later, Hinds drove a two-run double into the left-field corner.
As if that wasn’t enough drama for the afternoon, the game ended with Twins at the corners when Reds catcher P.J. Higgins challenged a 2-2 ball call – resulting in an overturned call, strike three and final out of the game.
The Reds trailed most of the game before rallying for the lead in the ninth inning for the second straight day.
Struggling leadoff man TJ Friedl drove in all three runs in the Reds ninth with a bases-loaded double – the Reds’ first hit with a man in scoring position since Dane Myers’ game-winner the day before.
Reds closer Emilio Pagán, the former Twin, gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning to No. 9 James Outman – who entered the day on an 0-for-19 skid to start the season – and gave up the lead one out later on Martin’s double to left.
It was Pagán’s first blown save since the season opener, snapping a streak of six converted chances, and was the first run he’d allowed since April 1.
Pagán returned to the mound Friday to earn a save, three days after experiencing hamstring tightness in his previous outing. He’s pitching with a compression sleeve on the left hamstring.
Reds starter Brady Singer turned in his second consecutive quality start despite a shaky first inning and two-run third. He had a 7.71 ERA through three starts before those two.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds sweep Twins on road with pair of late rallies
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
