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The key for Cincinnati was getting to Matz
early and often, scoring four times in the first inning. Tyler
Stephenson's two-run single put the Reds up 2-0, then three
batters later, Kevin Newman doubled the lead with a two-run
double.
Cincinnati right-hander Ben Lively (2-2) earned his first win as
a starter since Sept. 29, 2017, when he was pitching for
Philadelphia against the New York Mets. On Wednesday, Lively
limited the Cardinals to a pair of solo home runs over six solid
innings. Lively went six innings for the first time since April
2018 with the Phillies and matched a career high with eight
strikeouts.
It was just the ninth quality start by a Cincinnati pitcher in
2023, and first since May 2.
Making his 10th start, the winless Matz was tagged for six runs
on 11 hits over four innings.
Brendan Donovan hit Lively's first pitch of the fourth inning
deep to the seats in right for his fourth homer of the season,
cutting Cincinnati's advantage to 5-1.
But the Reds got a contribution from a rookie prospect and a
fluke from an opposing fielder to restore the five-run lead in
the bottom of the inning.
McLain hit his second big-league homer in as many nights, thanks
to some assistance from Cardinals right fielder Oscar Mercado.
Mercado drifted to the warning track with his back to the
right-field wall. When he leaped to make the catch, the ball
popped out of his glove and into the first row of seats to give
the Reds a 6-1 lead.
Lars Nootbaar belted his fourth homer of the season off Lively
in the fifth to cut the deficit to 6-2.
Right-handed reliever Eduardo Salazar made his Major League
debut for Cincinnati in the ninth, allowing one run on two hits.
--Field Level Media
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