Bullpen day turns into a slugfest as Reds lose 12-9 to Toronto

The two teams combined for score 18 runs in the first four innings of the game, but 10 of those were scored by Toronto. That was enough for them to top the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday to even up the series with a 12-9 win.

FinalRHEToronto Blue Jays (80-59)12121Cincinnati Reds (70-69)9150W: Varland (4-3) L: Barlow (6-3) SV: Hoffman (30)Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread

With Nick Lodolo being scratched from his scheduled start due to illness, Cincinnati turned to Scott Barlow to be the day’s opener on a bullpen day. Toronto opened the day with George Springer hitting a leadoff home run in a 4-run inning that featured three walks and two hits. The Reds would get one of those runs back in their half of the inning when an Elly De La Cruz singled followed Noelvi Marte’s double.

Brent Suter took over in the 2nd inning for the Reds and it was more of the same. The Blue Jays scored four more runs, picking up four hits and culminating on a 3-run home run from Bo Bichette that made it 8-2.

Cincinnati didn’t just roll over and accept the game was over, though. Jose Trevino and Matt McLain picked up back-to-back 1-out doubles to bring a run in. Toronto then helped the Reds out when Isiah Kiner-Falefa made a high throw to first base that pulled Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off of the bag just long enough for Noelvi Marte to get there, scoring McLain in the process. After Elly De La Cruz walked it was Austin Hays crushing a 3-run home run to make it 8-6.

Neither team would do anything in the3rd inning, but Brent Suter hit the first batter of the 4th and then saw George Springer hit his second home run of the game to make it 10-6. The Reds answered in the bottom of the inning with couple of 2-out hits. Austin Hays doubled in TJ Friedl to plate a run and then Gavin Lux singled into right to plate Hays and cut the lead back to two runs.

The game remained quiet for a few innings, but Toronto added to their lead in the top of the 7th inning when Connor Phillips threw a 98 MPH fastball that caught too much of the plate. Daulton Varsho didn’t miss it, hitting it 423 feet – half way up the seats in left-center – to make it 11-8.

Cincinnati cut into that lead in the bottom of the 8th when TJ Friedl slugged his 11th home run of the season. The solo shot made it 11-9. Noelvi Marte followed up with a double, bringing the tying run to the plate. Elly De La Cruz grounded the ball down the line, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made a sliding snag on the ball and then tossed to the covering pitcher from the seat of his pants to record the out. A strikeout would follow, stranding the runner at third base.

In the top of the 9th inning the Reds would give up another run. Reiver Sanmartin gave up a leadoff single to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and then threw a wild pitch to move him up to second base. He’d rebound with a strikeout and a pop up, but Cincinnati went to the bullpen there to bring in Yosver Zulueta. Guerrero Jr. would steal third base and then he came in to score on a passed ball that pushed the Toronto lead to three runs.

The Reds would get a 1-out single from Sal Stewart. He would take second base on defensive indifference with pinch hitter Will Benson at the plate with two outs. The game would come to an end two pitches later with a pop up to shortstop as the Blue Jays held on for a 12-9 victory.

Key Moment of the Game

Nick Lodolo getting sick. While it’s entirely possible he would have also given up eight runs in the first two innings, it’s not all that likely.

Notes Worth Noting

Toronto had four home runs on the day. Tough to win games giving up four home runs.

The Reds had 15 hits. TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Austin Hays, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Jose Trevino, AND Matt McLain all had 2-hit games. Elly De La Cruz and Gavin Lux both had a hit and a walk.

Reiver Sanmartin returned to the big league mound for the first time since May 7th of 2023. Shortly after that game he would undergo Tommy John surgery.

Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds

Toronto Blue Jays vs Cincinnati Reds

Wednesday September 3rd, 6:40pm ET

Shane Bieber (1-1, 2.38 ERA) vs Zack Littell (9-8, 3.63 ERA)