CINCINNATI – In a jaw-dropping display of late-game heroics, the Cincinnati Reds staged an extraordinary comeback, rallying from behind to secure a heart-pounding 7-6 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. The Reds’ Nick Martini, with his pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who delivered a walk-off single in the ninth, etched their names into baseball lore as the architects of this exhilarating comeback.
Martini’s clutch home run marked his second game-tying homer in just four days, underscoring the Reds’ remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. With this thrilling triumph, the Reds notched their 44th come-from-behind win of the season, a testament to their unwavering spirit.
The pivotal ninth inning began with Elly De La Cruz reaching base on an infield hit off reliever Andres Munoz (3-7). De La Cruz then executed a daring steal of second base, setting the stage for Encarnacion-Strand. With nerves of steel, Encarnacion-Strand promptly delivered a single to right field, allowing De La Cruz to dash home, igniting jubilant celebrations among Reds fans.
Reds closer Alexis Diaz (8-4) took the mound in the ninth and delivered a scoreless inning, ensuring the Reds’ remarkable comeback was etched in the annals of baseball history, sealing a memorable win for Cincinnati.
The Mariners, led by the red-hot Julio Rodriguez, who launched two home runs, displayed their offensive prowess. However, despite Rodriguez’s heroic efforts, the Mariners were unable to fend off the Reds’ relentless charge. This loss marked the Mariners’ fifth defeat in seven games, despite their recent ascent to the top of the AL West.
Rookie sensation Noelvi Marte made a significant impact on the Reds’ offensive display, tallying three hits, including his maiden career home run. With his impressive performance, Marte not only contributed to the comeback but also etched his name in Reds history by matching the club’s previous rookie home run record set in 2008, totaling 54 homers.
The Reds found themselves facing a challenging situation, with four pitchers on the COVID injured list. In response, they turned to 22-year-old right-hander Connor Phillips, who made his major league debut for Cincinnati, becoming the second starter in just four days to do so.
Phillips faced off against Seattle starter Bryce Miller, who encountered leadoff batters in the first three innings. Remarkably, in all three instances, the leadoff runners were caught stealing, with Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh displaying his defensive prowess.
The Mariners swiftly took control, seizing a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Phillips. After J.P. Crawford’s groundout and a strikeout by Rodriguez, Raleigh earned a walk, paving the way for Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez showcased his hot bat, extending his hitting streak to 14 games with a resounding 411-foot home run to center field. This powerful blast marked Hernandez’s 25th home run of the season, briefly tying him for the team lead with Rodriguez and Raleigh.
Rodriguez delivered a pivotal moment in the fifth inning, launching an awe-inspiring three-run homer off Phillips, propelling the Mariners to a commanding 5-1 lead.
The Reds began their remarkable comeback in the sixth inning when Encarnacion-Strand stepped up with his sixth home run, sending the ball soaring into the left-field seats. Two outs later, Noelvi Marte joined the home run party, matching the Reds’ rookie home run record with his blast, equating to the club’s previous record of 54, set in 2008.
Rodriguez, refusing to be overshadowed, opened the seventh inning with his second home run of the night, this time off Reds reliever Derek Law, momentarily extending the Mariners’ lead to 6-3.
Phillips, making an impressive major league debut, ultimately completed his outing, conceding five runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. He recorded seven strikeouts and issued two walks. In contrast, Miller, the Mariners’ starter, surrendered just one run on seven hits across five innings, accumulating one walk and two strikeouts.
In a game brimming with dramatic twists, standout performances, and nail-biting moments, the Cincinnati Reds emerged triumphant with their remarkable comeback, adding another thrilling chapter to the captivating narrative of the 2023 MLB season.
