Reds Edge Twins 6-5, Securing Third Consecutive Victory

TJ Friedl delivered a pivotal two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning, propelling the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. This win marks the Reds' third consecutive triumph.

With this latest success, Cincinnati has now secured eight wins in their last 11 games, narrowing the gap to just two games from the third NL wild-card position.

The scoring began in the third inning when Byron Buxton launched a solo home run off Andrew Abbott, giving the Twins an early 1-0 lead.

David Festa kept the Reds hitless until the fourth inning, when Will Benson's two-run double shifted the momentum, putting Cincinnati ahead 2-1.

However, Festa exited the game in the fourth due to a right hand contusion after surrendering four runs, two of which were earned.

Jake Fraley contributed significantly, driving in two additional runs with a single, extending the Reds' lead to 4-1.

A critical throwing error by Reds third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand opened the door for a Twins comeback in the sixth. Harrison Bader capitalized on this opportunity, hitting a three-run homer that ricocheted off Fraley's glove and over the wall, giving Minnesota a 5-4 advantage.

Despite allowing five runs, only one was earned against Abbott, who saw his ERA drop to 1.84. He struck out five batters without issuing a walk.

Friedl's crucial double in the sixth inning off Brock Stewart (1-1) brought home the go-ahead runs for Cincinnati.

Emilio Pagán closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning, securing his 17th save of the season. Scott Barlow (2-0) claimed the win for Cincinnati after pitching 1 1/3 innings and striking out two.

Earlier in the game, Buxton showcased his defensive skills by robbing Benson of a potential solo home run in the second inning, reaching over the center field wall. He then returned to the plate in the third and hit a solo homer just beyond Friedl's glove in nearly the same location.

Abbott has been particularly strong in recent outings, having allowed a run in the first inning only once in his last 24 starts; that lone instance occurred on August 7, 2024, against the Marlins when he allowed five runs.

Looking ahead, Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (4-5, 3.76 ERA) is set to face Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (4-3, 4.40) on Wednesday.