CINCINNATI — While Reds’ postseason aspirations have faded, their three biggest draws this season are also their three biggest reasons to have higher hopes for seasons ahead. All were on display Wednesday during a come-from-behind 5-4 win against the Cardinals.
First, All-Star starting pitcher Chase Burns wasn’t at his sharpest, but he still struck out eight batters over five innings to keep his team in the game.
Second, shortstop Elly De La Cruz fired a sensational throw to cut down a runner at the plate and saved a run.
Finally, rookie All-Star Sal Stewart did what he does best by seizing a scoring chance and belting the go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning after the Reds’ offense was quietly trailing, 2-0.
Burns did not have an easy time as he threw 104 pitches. He allowed two runs on six hits and two walks.
“Just grinding, mentally,” Burns said. “Knowing you’ve got to go out there for five and try to put up as many zeroes as possible and keep your team in it.”
Burns retired his first seven batters in a row before Blaze Jordan hit a one-out infield single to the hole at shortstop. With two outs in St. Louis’ half of the third inning, De La Cruz made the defensive play of the night to prevent a run in a scoreless game.
JJ Wetherholt launched a double through the gap in right-center field. As Jordan rounded the bases and headed home, center fielder Dane Myers fired a throw to De La Cruz. The shortstop fired a 99.2 mph dart to catcher Jose Trevino, who tagged Jordan as he slid at the plate.
“I got to watch that ball from Elly behind the plate,” Burns said. “It’s cool to watch. Always when the defense makes plays like that, you’re always appreciative.”
Firing it from short right-center field, De La Cruz’s throw was the fourth-fastest assist by an infielder under Statcast (since 2015), and he also holds the first three spots.
“That’s normally where the second baseman goes out,” manager Terry Francona said. “But because of Elly’s arm, he tries to be the lead guy as long as he can get to it.”
Burns paid for a one-out walk to Alec Burleson and a wild pitch. With two outs, Nathan Church grounded an RBI single through the left side for the game’s first run, and after another walk, Bryan Torres hit an RBI single to right field to make it a 2-0 game.
“I was kind of running out of gas, getting a little fatigued. So just really bearing down and making good pitches,” Burns said.
In the top of the fifth inning, Burns gave up a sharp one-out single to Wetherholt that zoomed off second baseman McLain’s glove and Burleson’s two-out single into right field. But he was able to escape damage by striking out Jordan Walker for the third time.
While not getting his 15th win of the season during a no-decision, Burns remained 14-2 with a 2.51 ERA over 136 innings and 24 starts with 159 strikeouts.
“He sets the tone for us,” Stewart said of Burns. “His year has been incredible, for real. What a season. I expect nothing less out of him. That’s the standard I have for him, and he always meets it.”
Cincinnati’s lineup collected one hit through five innings after having only three hits in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss. The Reds came in losers in eight of their previous 12 games, having scored one run or fewer in six of them.
Then came a sudden revival. McLain hit a one-out double to left field against Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore before De La Cruz lofted a single off the tip of a leaping Wetherholt’s glove near second base.
That set up Stewart, who clobbered a 1-2 fastball from Liberatore, who promptly put his hands on his knees as he watched the ball clear the center-field fence.
Stewart admired his Statcast-projected 422-foot drive before gesturing and celebrating as he circled the bases.
“Just a lot of frustration,” Stewart said. “We haven’t been playing the way we’re capable of, starting with myself. I could have been better and setting the tone more. It was just exciting to put some runs on the board. We’ve been busting our tails, and I trust these guys. They were on base, and I was able to execute.”
Stewart has a team-leading 27 homers this season, second most all-time by a Reds rookie to Frank Robinson (38 in 1956). His 94 RBIs lead the Major Leagues, and he is seeking to join Walt Dropo (144 in 1950) and Ted Williams (144 in 1939) as the only rookies to lead their league in RBI for a season.
“Rookie of the Year!” shouted Myers.
“One, he’s a really good hitter,” Francona said. “But I know he relishes those opportunities and thankfully he does. Because up to that point, we really had nothing going.”