Spencer Steer had three of his team’s seven extra-base hits on Wednesday to lead the visiting Cincinnati Reds to a 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a split doubleheader.
The victory guaranteed a series win for the Reds, who handed the Braves their fourth straight loss.
Steer entered the game on a 0-for-12 slide, but he quickly ended that with an RBI triple in the first inning. Steer went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs.
The Reds set the tone by scoring four runs in the first inning. Elly De La Cruz singled to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, stole second base and scored on Steer’s two-out triple. Steer then came around to score after second baseman Zack Short mishandled the relay.
After Tyler Stephenson walked, Jake Fraley hit a two-run shot for his second homer of the season. The ball was hooking away as it hit the right-field foul pole.
De La Cruz went 3-for-5 with a home run, his 18th of the season. He scored three runs and added two stolen bases, extending his league-leading total to 51. Fraley went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
The Reds hammered Atlanta starter Allan Winans (0-2), who departed after 2 2/3 innings. Winans allowed seven runs on six hits — including two homers — with two walks and three strikeouts.
Cincinnati starter Frankie Montas didn’t last long enough to take advantage of the offensive production. He pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on 10 hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
The winning pitcher was Sam Moll (2-1), who replaced Montas and escaped from a bases-loaded jam by striking out the two batters he faced.
Lucas Sims (one inning), Tony Santillan (two innings) and Justin Wilson (one inning) covered the final four innings without further damage.
Atlanta rookie Nacho Alvarez Jr. got his first major league hit in the first inning, a single off Montas. Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna got an RBI on an infield grounder but went 0-for-5 and saw his hitting streak end at 10 games.