Eugenio Suarez shines at the plate, in the field as Reds win 2-1

The Cincinnati Reds only had four hits, but the middle of the lineup did just enough to score more runs than Minnesota on the night. That happened because the pitching staff and defense did their job to hold the Twins to five hits and just one run as they picked up a win to open up a road trip.

FinalRHECincinnati Reds (12-8)240Minnesota Twins (11-9)151W: Williamson (2-1) L: Ryan (2-2) SV: Pagan (6)Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread

The Reds only had one hit in the first two innings. Minnesota, though, didn’t have any. But they got a leadoff walk in the 3rd inning and then Byron Buxton singled with two outs to put pressure on Brandon Williamson. The lefty then walked Austn Martin to load the bases. That led to a 7-pitch battle between Williamson and Luke Keaschall. On the 7th pitch the umpire issued a called strike to end the inning but it was immediately challenged. The call was confirmed to the dismay of the batter, stranding the bases loaded and keeping the game scoreless.

The Reds would add some more hits in their half of the 3rd inning and these produced runs. Elly De La Cruz doubled to the wall in right field and took third base on a throwing error that allowed Sal Stewart to reach safely on a grounder. Stewart would steal second base on the second pitch of the next at-bat to put two men in scoring position. Eugenio Suarez then came through three pitches later with a 2-run double to put Cincinnati on top 2-0.

After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the 3rd inning, Brandon Williamson found himself in that same situation in the 5th inning after the left-hander walked the first three hitters of the inning. The first pitch to Austin Martin was hit into right field where Will Benson made a sliding catch that resulted in a sacrifice fly. The next pitch saw Luke Keaschall hit a grounder to Eugenio Suarez who threw to Matt McLain at second and then a toss to first bases completed the inning-ending double play as the Reds held on to a 2-1 lead.

Williamson returned for the bottom of the 6th inning and got a pop up to begin the frame but Josh Bell singled on the next pitch and that led to Cincinnati making a call to the bullpen to bring in Connor Phillips and the righty was able to strand the runner.

Graham Ashcraft entered the game for the Reds in the 7th and he found himself in trouble after a walk and then a 2-out single put the tying run in scoring position. But for the third time in the game Luke Keaschall couldn’t come through for the Twins, this time as he was robbed by Eugenio Suarez on a sliding stop on a grounder that he jumped up from and fired to first to end the inning and preserve the lead.

After Tony Santillan tossed a scoreless 8th inning the Reds sent Emilio Pagan out to the mound to try and close out the game. He needed one pitch to get the first out of the inning. The final two outs weren’t as quick or as easy, but Pagan picked up a strikeout and a groundout to seal the 2-1 win and start the road trip with a victory.

Key Moment of the Game

The Eugenio Suarez 2-run double in the 4th inning that put Cincinnati up 2-0.

Notes Worth Noting

The Reds are an incredible 9-0 in games that have been decided by two runs or less, and now 5-0 in 1-run games.

Cincinnati’s offensive woes continue, despite the win. Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and Eugenio Suarez were the only players to reach base for the Reds in the game. The rest of the lineup went 0-20 with no walks. It was enough to get the job done on this day.

Tony Santillan kept his ERA spotless in his nine outings this season.

Connor Phillips allowed two runs on Opening Day. Since then he’s thrown 11.1 innings and given up just one run.

Nick Lodolo got through his live batting practice in the afternoon prior to the game. Jose Trevino, also on the injured list, caught the session.

Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds vs Minnesota Twins

Friday April 18th, 2:10pm ET

Andrew Abbott (0-2, 5.85 ERA) vs Taj Bradley (3-0, 1.25 ERA)