Andrew Abbott allowed one run in 6 1/3 solid innings, Alexis Diaz retired Juan Soto for the final out in the ninth and the visiting Cincinnati Reds hung on for a 3-2 victory over the slumping New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Noelvi Marte hit a two-run homer in the second and Stuart Fairchild also went deep in the fifth against New York starter Carlos Rodon (9-6) as the Reds won a series for the first time since June 6-9. Cincinnati will go for a three-game sweep on Thursday.
Abbott allowed one-out singles by Soto and Alex Verdugo in the first and second innings, respectively, but did not give up another hit until Jahmai Jones doubled in the seventh to knock the left-hander out of the game.
Abbott was lifted for Fernando Cruz, who walked Austin Wells, allowed Anthony Volpe’s two-run double and walked Soto. Cruz kept the lead by getting Aaron Judge to bounce into a double play.
Aside from the three hits, Abbott (8-6) withstood issuing four free passes while striking out two.
The Reds never trailed for the second straight game after holding on for a 5-4 victory in Tuesday’s series opener. They won for the fourth time in six games while sending the Yankees to their 12th loss in 16 games.
Following a base hit by Tyler Stephenson, Marte hooked an 0-1 fastball down the left field line that just stayed fair for his first homer of the year. Marte had gone 0-for-15 in his previous four games.
Fairchild pushed Cincinnati’s lead to 3-0 when he opened the fifth by lifting a 3-2 slider down the left field line, putting it just inside the foul pole.
Rodon was visibly frustrated at times as he allowed three runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings for his fourth straight loss. Rodon struck out eight and walked two and did not appear to disagree with manager Aaron Boone lifting him after a walk to Jeimer Candelario in the sixth.
Reds reliever Lucas Sims put two on in the eighth before Justin Wilson fanned pinch hitter Trent Grisham. Diaz got Volpe to ground into a double play before retiring Soto on a flyout to secure his 19th save.