Field Level Media
Aug 21, 2021
Tyler Naquin doubled three times and Tyler Stephenson drilled a pinch-hit two-run double in a four-run sixth inning as the Cincinnati Reds held off the visiting Miami Marlins 7-4 Saturday night.
Nick Castellanos also had a two-run homer and drove in four runs for the Reds, who won their third straight against the Marlins, thanks to stellar defense. The Reds, who improved to a season-best 11 games over .500 (68-57), turned five double plays and Shogo Akiyama made a key sliding catch to end a Marlins rally.
Luis Cessa (4-2) worked out of a bases-loaded jam, thanks to Akiyama's catch of a sinking Lewis Brinson liner in the fifth inning. Michael Lorenzen limited damage in another Marlins rally in the eighth en route to his second save.
Appropriately, the game ended when Miguel Rojas grounded into a double play back to Lorenzen, who started the twin killing.
Anthony Bender (2-2) came on in the sixth inning for starter Zach Thompson and was tagged for four runs and three hits to take the loss for the Marlins, who fell to 21-43 on the road.
For the second straight night, the Reds jumped out to a 2-0 lead three batters into their first inning. Naquin doubled down the left field line with out, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. Castellanos followed with a two-run homer to the right field seats for his 22nd of the season.
Wade Miley started but did not figure in the decision, despite the early lead. Still, it was his 15th straight start without a loss, the second-longest streak in Reds' history.
Miley turned his right ankle while delivering a pitch to Jazz Chisholm in the fourth inning. He remained in the game and appeared to get a fortunate strike three call from home plate umpire Jim Wolf in the Chisholm at-bat before allowing a sharp single to Jesus Aguilar. Following a single by Brinson, Miley escaped further trouble when Brian Anderson grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
Miley was not as fortunate in the fifth inning, as he uncharacteristically lost his command.
The lefty walked three batters and hit another with the bases loaded to allow the Marlins to tie the game, 2-2. During the rally, Marlins batting coach Eric Duncan was ejected by Wolf for arguing balls and strikes during Miguel Rojas' at-bat, which eventually ended in a walk to load the bases.
--Field Level Media