Blandino's double in eighth sends Reds past White Sox, 5-3

[July 03, 2018]  Pinch hitter Alex Blandino hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-3 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

Blandino hit a 2-2 pitch to right field to score Jose Peraza and Adam Duvall as part of a four-run inning. Duvall and Billy Hamilton also drove in one run apiece during the rally for Cincinnati, which has won three straight games and 12 of 15.

Avisail Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and increased his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games. Yoan Moncada and Yolmer Sanchez also drove in runs for Chicago.

Reds reliever Dylan Floro (3-2) picked up the victory by garnering a pair of outs in the eighth. He was the third pitcher to follow starter Luis Castillo, who allowed one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

White Sox reliever Chris Volstad (1-5) drew the loss after surrendering four runs on three hits and recording only two outs. His meltdown spoiled a quality start by James Shields, who limited the Reds to one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Reds closer Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless ninth for his 16th save.

Scott Schebler opened the scoring with a leadoff home run on Shields' first pitch -- a fastball over the heart of the plate. The blast marked Schebler's first leadoff homer of the season and second of his career.

White Sox starting pitcher James Shields throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The White Sox rallied to grab a 2-1 lead in the seventh. Moncada hooked a double down the left field line to drive in Adam Engel, and Sanchez singled off the third base bag and into left field to score Moncada.

Garcia increased Chicago's lead to 3-1 with a solo shot in the eighth.

Cincinnati stormed back soon after as Duvall drove in Scooter Gennett on a fielder's choice that he reached on and Hamilton drove a sacrifice fly to score Eugenio Suarez. In the next at-bat, Blandino put the Reds on top for good.

White Sox slugger Jose Abreu left in the seventh after fouling a pitch off his left ankle one inning earlier. Abreu, who had his foot wrapped tightly in the dugout, is listed as day to day.

--Field Level Media

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