Spencer Steer delivered a pivotal two-run triple in the eighth inning, propelling the Cincinnati Reds to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, a game notably impacted by an early exit from superstar Shohei Ohtani.
The highly anticipated pitching appearance by Shohei Ohtani was cut short during the fourth inning. With no outs and a 2-0 count against Spencer Steer, the Dodgers’ two-way sensation uncharacteristically threw six consecutive balls, including a pair of wild pitches, signaling an unusual outing.
This start marked Ohtani’s seventh on the mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after the 2023 season. The Dodgers had initially planned for him to complete four innings, but he was removed after throwing just 51 pitches, with 32 registered as strikes, raising questions about his ongoing recovery.
The Reds’ breakthrough in the eighth inning began with strategic walks issued to Austin Hays and Tyler Stephenson against Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan. This set the stage for Spencer Steer, who then engaged in an extended and dramatic 11-pitch at-bat.
On the crucial 11th pitch, Steer launched a deep drive to center field. New defensive substitute James Outman made a valiant leaping effort at the wall, but the ball frustratingly popped out of his glove, allowing both Hays and Stephenson to score and putting the Cincinnati Reds ahead.
Earlier in Steer’s pivotal at-bat, Sheehan appeared poised to escape the inning unscathed. However, a crucial miscue occurred when left fielder Andy Pages dropped a fly ball in foul territory while attempting a jumping catch, providing Steer with a second chance and ultimately leading to the game-winning hit.
This significant MLB Baseball win further extended the Reds’ remarkable club record: they have not been swept in any of their 35 series this season. This impressive feat surpasses the 1970 National League championship team’s 32-series streak, highlighting the team’s resilience.
The Cincinnati Reds now stand as the sole team in MLB Baseball to maintain an unswept record this season, a testament to their consistent performance and ability to avoid comprehensive losses, cementing this as a memorable Sports Victory.
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