AthleticsvsCincinnati Reds
ATH 4/CIN 5
Things to say
The Cincinnati Reds edged the Athletics 5-4 at Great American Ball Park.
01
opener
Reds took it 5-4, came down to the last inning. One of those one-run games where you're sweating every pitch. Great American always plays like a bandbox.
02
key player
Reds' bats did just enough — heart of the order kept putting guys on and finally cashed it in. That's the difference in a one-run game.
03
hot take
Honestly the A's hung around way longer than a 45-68 club has any business doing. Reds should've buried them earlier and made it easy on themselves.
04
deep cut
Watch the bullpen usage — Cincy's pen has been shaky, and going to it early in a tight one at that ballpark is playing with fire. It nearly cost them.
05
exit
Anyway, Reds are scrapping to stay in it — let's see if they can carry this into the next series.
The recap
Reds squeaked one out at Great American, 5-4 over the A's in a game that stayed tight all afternoon. Neither starter had his best stuff, so this one came down to the bullpens and the bats grinding out just enough.
Cincinnati found a way to plate the go-ahead run and then hung on when the A's threatened late. One-run wins like this are the kind that keep a scuffling club believing it's not out of it yet.