Reds Take Advantage Of Base Running Blunder, Beat Rockies 6-5
CINCINNATI (AP) - Eugenio Suarez's sharp eyesight at third base helped the Cincinnati Reds to a win.
Tucker Barnhart hit a game-ending single off of Christian Bergman, and Cincinnati overcame a bullpen meltdown and took advantage of two Colorado base running blunders to beat the Rockies 6-5 Wednesday.
Colorado appeared to tie the score 3-3 in the seventh when Dustin Garneau doubled with two outs and pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn lined the ball into right field for what appeared to be a single.
But the Reds threw to third before the next pitch, and Garneau was called out on appeal by umpire Adrian Johnson for missing the base. The call was upheld after a 3-minute, 20-second video review, and Raburn originally was ruled to have hit into a fielder's choice. The scoring was changed after the game to a hit.
"I hit the bag," Garneau said. "I tripped over it. I didn't go down. I don't know what the guy saw."
Reds manager Bryan Price didn't know about the possible appeal until he was on his way to the mound to change pitchers.
"He told me the runner missed the base," Cincinnati manager Bryan Price said said of Suarez.
"I asked Gary Cederstrom if I could still appeal," Bryan explained, a reference to the umpire crew chief. "He said as long as no pitch was thrown."
Consecutive two-out doubles by Adam Duvall, Barnhart and Ivan DeJesus Jr. against Justin Miller put the Reds ahead 5-2 in the bottom half, the first a fly ball that Ben Paulsen lost and landed at the base of the left-field wall.
But Colorado tied the score in a three-run eighth when the first two batters reached against Blake Wood, Gerardo Parra hit into a run-scoring forceout off Tony Cingrani, and Paulsen hit a two-run double. That inning ended when Mark Reynolds was caught off third by Barnhart after the Reds catcher quickly retrieved a pitch that bounced off the bricks behind home plate and caromed back.
Brandon Phillips singled off Christian Bergman (0-3) leading off the ninth and took third when Jay Bruce beat a shift and singled into right field.
With the infield in, Bergman struck out pinch-hitter Scott Schebler. Colorado moved center fielder Brandon Barnes to third base as part of a five-man infield, shifting third baseman Nolan Arenado to shortstop and rookie shortstop Trevor Story to the right side, and Barnhart lined the next pitch into right.
"It was the first time I've ever faced him," Barnhart said. "I was looking for something up in the zone to hit, and luckily I got it. In that situation I'm trying to get something to the outfield."
Ross Ohlendorf (3-2) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.
Reds starter Raisel Iglesias two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. Colorado's Chad Bettis gave up three runs and three hits in six innings with five strikeouts and no walks.
Bruce and Duvall hit consecutive homered in the second for a 3-0 lead.
CARGO MILESTONE
Gonzalez's sixth-inning bloop double to short center was the 1,000th hit of his big league career.
FRESH FACES
The appearances were the first in their careers for both Iglesias against Colorado and Bettis against Cincinnati.
THANKS, ANYWAY
The Reds optioned RHP Robert Stephenson to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, one day after he was recalled to start in place of the injured Alfredo Simon and improved to 2-0 with seven innings of three-hit, one-run pitching in Cincinnati's 4-3 win over Colorado. RHP Drew Hayes was promoted from the Bats.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: Weiss said RHP Miguel Castro wasn't available due to shoulder inflammation.
Reds: RHP Homer Bailey is scheduled to pitch Friday for Triple-A Louisville, his first injury rehabilitation start since Tommy John surgery last May 8.
UP NEXT
Rockies: RHP Jon Gray is to be activated from the disabled list to start the opener of Colorado's three-game series against the Dodgers on Friday in Denver, manager Walt Weiss said. Gray has been sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Reds: LHP Brandon Finnegan (1-0) is to make his second start in 11 days against the Cubs in Thursday's opener of a four-game series in Cincinnati. Finnegan pitched 6 2/3 hitless innings against Chicago on April 11.
- By MARK SCHMETZER, AP Sports Writer
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