Myers’ RBI single in 9th and strong bullpen outing lift Reds past Twins 5-4

The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a thrilling 5-4 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, with Dane Myers delivering an RBI single in the ninth inning to secure the win. This win marked the Reds’ tenth consecutive victory in games decided by fewer than three runs, a remarkable feat that puts them in elite company alongside teams like the 1946 Boston Red Sox and the 1966 Cleveland Indians.

Cincinnati’s bullpen was the unsung hero of the game, pitching 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Kyle Nicolas and Tony Santillan were particularly impressive, combining for five strikeouts in the final two innings to shut down the Twins’ offense.

The game was not without its tense moments, as the Twins took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run triple by Ryan Jeffers. However, the Reds fought back, with Eugenio Suárez scoring on a sacrifice fly by Rece Hinds to tie the game at 4 in the eighth inning.

In the end, it was pinch-hitter Spencer Steer who kickstarted the Reds’ rally in the ninth, reaching base on a single and eventually scoring the go-ahead run on Myers’ clutch hit off Twins’ pitcher Cole Sands.

Both teams had their opportunities throughout the game, but it was the Reds who capitalized on key moments to come out on top. The Twins, who entered the game with an impressive .306 batting average with runners in scoring position, struggled to convert their chances and left 11 runners on base, eight of whom were in scoring position.

The starting pitchers, Taj Bradley for the Twins and Andrew Abbott for the Reds, both put in solid performances, with Bradley allowing two earned runs in six innings and Abbott surrendering four runs in 4 2/3 innings. Despite Abbott’s recent struggles on the mound, the Reds’ bullpen once again proved to be a reliable asset, maintaining their MLB-leading 2.31 ERA.

Looking ahead, the Reds will send Brady Singer to the mound to face Bailey Ober of the Twins in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. With their bullpen firing on all cylinders and their offense coming through in clutch situations, the Reds will look to continue their winning streak and solidify their position as one of the top teams in the league.

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