Reds extend win streak to five against Tribe

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Photo: Mark Duncan/AP[/caption]

The Cincinnati Reds have now won five straight, with the most recent win coming in St. Patrick’s Day green against the Cleveland Indians. Early offense gave the Reds a lead early, but walk-off heroics ultimately claimed a 5–4 triumph over the Tribe in Goodyear on Monday.

Victory came off the bat of minor league outfielder Steve Selsky in the bottom of the ninth. Selsky’s walk-off two-run double would give the Reds their final one-run advantage after entering the ninth down a run.

Production from the heart of the Cincinnati order provided plenty of run support for starting pitcher Mike Leake, who went 4 innings and only allowed a run on three hits. He struck out six.

Jay Bruce sparked an offensive outburst in the second when he led off the inning with a double off of Indians starter Corey Kluber. A Ryan Ludwick single would follow, preceding Todd Frazier’s triple that gave the Reds a 2–0 lead. Zack Cozart would provide one more for the Reds in the inning, as Frazier was able to score on a sacrifice fly.

The Reds were silenced at the plate until the ninth thanks to a solid outing from the Cleveland bullpen in the middle innings, but positive signs from Cincinnati relievers were plentiful as well. Bullpen stalwarts Jonathan Broxton and Manny Parra tossed a pair of hitless innings before Pedro Beato surrendered the Reds’ lead in the seventh.

Jose “Jumbo” Diaz, who is in the middle of the conversation to make the Reds out of camp, allowed a ninth inning run on three walks and a hit. He struck out three in the inning to get out of the jam, and was credited with the win after Selsky’s double sealed the Cincinnati victory.

Aside from Diaz, who will be a Louisville Bat if he doesn’t break camp with the Reds, other potential Bats saw time in Monday’s game. Infielder Argenis Diaz was 1-for-1 at the plate and scored one of the decisive two Cincinnati runs in the ninth. Neftali Soto, Corky Miller and Kristopher Negron also saw time for the Reds on the afternoon.

The Reds will have their only off day of the spring today before paying the Kansas City Royals a visit in Surprise on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET and Alfredo Simon will have the ball first for Cincinnati. He will be followed by Aroldis Chapman, Sam LeCure and J.J. Hoover.