Field Level Media
Aug 22, 2021
Tyler Naquin homered twice and Vladimir Gutierrez tossed seven strong innings as the Cincinnati Reds completed a four-game sweep with a 3-1 win over the visiting Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.
Mike Moustakas connected for the go-ahead homer off Sandy Alcantara (7-12) in the fifth inning. It was his fifth homer of the season and first since returning from the 60-day injured list.
Entering Sunday, Moustakas had just one hit in his previous 32 at-bats since returning to action.
Gutierrez (9-4) allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight. The lone run he permitted was Jesus Sanchez's RBI double in the fourth inning to tie the game.
Lucas Sims pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Michael Lorenzen closed out the ninth for his second save in as many games and third of the season.
Naquin opened the scoring after homering in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.
The Reds (69-57) moved a season high 12 games over .500.
Cincinnati finished its string of 20 games in 20 days with its second four-game series sweep. The Reds previously swept the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 5-8.
Alcantara was the tough-luck loser, allowing just two runs and four hits over seven innings. Aside from the two solo homers allowed, Alcantara struck out 11 and walked two batters for the Marlins, who fell to 21-44 on the road.
Naquin, who has 18 homers on the season, was getting a chance in the leadoff spot as Jonathan India received a planned day off. He took advantage with his second two-homer performance of the season, with both coming as Cincinnati's leadoff hitter.
The Reds completed their seven-game homestand with a 5-2 record. They now head out on a six-game road trip starting Tuesday in Milwaukee against the National League Central-leading Brewers.
--Field Level Media