CINCINNATI — TJ Friedl continues to be the spark plug for the Cincinnati Reds, and he proved it again Saturday night in front of a packed house at Great American Ball Park.
Friedl reached base three times via walk, delivered a clutch RBI single, scored twice, and led the charge in a late-inning rally that powered the Reds to a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The victory clinched the series for Cincinnati and pushed the club to a season-best five games above .500 with the trade deadline looming on July 31.
It was a tight contest deep into the game. All-Star Andrew Abbott was excellent again, giving up just two hits and one earned run over six strong innings with seven strikeouts on 95 pitches. In the seventh, Graham Ashcraft took over but was hurt by a tight strike zone, allowing Tampa Bay to tie it 2-2. The frustration boiled over for manager Terry Francona, who was ejected after arguing with the umpire.
The Reds responded immediately, drawing three walks in the bottom of the frame before Elly De La Cruz ripped a bases-loaded single to center, plating two runs and giving Cincinnati the lead for good. They padded the advantage with more insurance in the eighth, and Emilio Pagán closed things out for another key win.
Over 39,000 fans packed the stadium, bringing energy from the first pitch to the last out. It was the kind of electric atmosphere that Reds fans have long waited for — and this team is rising to the moment.
Cincinnati will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon with Brady Singer on the mound, hoping to keep the momentum rolling. First pitch is set for 1:40 PM ET.
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