Reds Beat Marlins 7-3 to Win Series

Several things that have eluded the Reds throughout the second half were finally achieved on Sunday.

Most important, there was a series victory when the Reds left town winners of a 7-3 game over the Marlins to take three of four.

And, the 5-0 lead Cincinnati had in the top of the fourth was its biggest since the break. The team’s 15 hits were also the most since it had 19 on June 15 vs. the Brewers. Every Reds hitter except Kristopher Negron, but including pitcher Mike Leake, had at least one hit.

“Everyone did a good job today manufacturing runs,” said Todd Frazier, who had a four-hit game for the second time in his career. “[Ryan] Ludwick hit a double — but we were hitting singles. That goes to show you we do have the power, but at the same time, we know how to get runs in doing the little stuff.”

Entering the day, the Reds’ post-All-Star break offense was ranked last in batting (.192), runs scored (33), hits (95) and hitting with runners in scoring position (.155). Consequently, they lost each of the four series coming out of the break and every single game — even the wins — felt tense throughout as they clawed and scraped for runs.

“It’s nice to be able to — I hate to say ‘sit back’ — but at least have some wiggle room where every decision or maneuver we try to make or roster usage isn’t one that’s deciding the game,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “That’s a lot more fun.”

The beneficiary on Sunday was Leake, who gave up one earned run and three hits over six innings with four walks and five strikeouts. It wasn’t a crisp game for Leake, but he had one big key going for him. He kept the Marlins’ 1-6 batters hitless and struck out the best hitter in the building, Giancarlo Stanton, three times during the slugger’s four-K day.

During the four games vs. Miami, the Reds’ rotation posted a 1.33 ERA with four runs allowed over 27 innings. Each starter gave up one run each.

“Forget the quality start and the statistics, everybody was going out there and pitching like we’ve come to expect with this group,” Price said. “It’s not just a six-inning, three-run quality start, but really pitching deep in the game and limiting the runs and giving us a chance to get a lead. We’ve been very good with a lead this year.”

Lots of small dogs yipped away during the Marlins’ Bark at the Park promotion, but the Reds’ bats had the loudest bark, and the biggest bite, against pitcher Jacob Turner. Just after Stanton saved two runs in the second inning with a diving catch in right field, Zack Cozart’s RBI single to left field made it a 1-0 game.

That was just the beginning.

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