The Cincinnati Reds currently hold a 44-52 record following their return from the All-Star break. In the last 24 hours, the club secured a 7-2 road victory against the Colorado Rockies. They also shuffled the active roster.
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MLB Game Recap
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-2 at Coors Field on Friday night. This victory opened the second half of the season. Spencer Steer and Eugenio Suárez broke a 1-1 tie with back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning. Elly De La Cruz followed with a three-hit performance that included a 434-foot solo blast. Starting pitcher Brady Singer dominated across seven innings. He allowed only two runs on four hits. This performance earned him his fourth win of the year.
Standout Performer
Spencer Steer: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R. Steer provided the primary offensive spark. He hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth. Later, he added a rare inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning.
Key News & Notes
Cincinnati activated outfielder Dane Myers from the 10-day injured list on Friday. He had recovered from a collision with an outfield wall in late June. To make room on the roster, utility man Ivan Johnson was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville. Additionally, the organization released relievers Hagen Danner and Anthony Misiewicz prior to Friday’s minor league games.
Farm Report
- Louisville Bats: Michael Chavis went 1-for-4. He hit his 17th home run of the season. The game ended in a 3-1 loss to the St. Paul Saints. The Bats struggled with strikeouts in their first game back from the break. However, reliever Zack McCambley struck out the side in a perfect sixth inning.
- Chattanooga Lookouts: Cam Collier recorded a two-run single. The game was suspended in the bottom of the first inning due to rain. The score was tied 3-3. Play will resume on Saturday as part of a doubleheader against the Columbus Clingstones.
- Dayton Dragons: Friday’s game was postponed because of poor air quality. The poor air quality resulted from Canadian wildfires. The game will be rescheduled for a later date.
- Daytona Tortugas: Ichiro Cano finished 2-for-3. He hit a home run and had two RBIs in a 9-6 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads. Cano is currently hitting .452 in July with five multi-hit games since July 4th.
- ACL Reds: Jirvin Morillo went 2-for-5. He hit a home run and four RBIs during an 11-6 loss to the ACL Cubs. Morillo’s two-run blast in the sixth inning was his 10th home run of the season.
Deep Dive: Spencer Steer’s Coors Field Display
Spencer Steer hit multiple home runs on Friday. His performance acted as a catalyst for Cincinnati’s victory. It showcased his raw power and opportunistic baserunning in the high altitude of Denver. He hit his first home run of the night, a two-run shot to left field in the sixth inning. It traveled 404 feet. This home run broke a 1-1 deadlock. This blast fired up the Cincinnati Reds’ dugout. Four pitches later, Eugenio Suárez hit a back-to-back home run.
The highlight of the game occurred in the eighth inning when Steer notched a rare inside-the-park home run. He drove a ball to the wall in right-center field. It took an “odd bounce.” This allowed him to round the bases. The Rockies’ outfielders scrambled to recover. Statcast data revealed that Steer’s hit would have been an over-the-fence home run in 24 of 30 Major League ballparks. This includes Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park. However, the ball remained inside Coors Field. Steer capitalized on a throwing error by the Rockies’ defense to slide safely into home plate. This performance increased his season totals to 16 home runs. It also brought his season RBIs to 40. This provided a critical boost to a Reds offense that has struggled for much of the season.
Looking Ahead
Rhett Lowder (3-6, 4.91 ERA) is the probable starter for the Reds as they continue their three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
Spencer Steer’s power display proves that his swing translates to any environment, even when the ball stays inside the park. What do you think?
