Stuart Fairchild doubled home the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning as the Cincinnati Reds opened a three-game interleague series against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-2 victory on Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Automatic runner Jeimer Candelario began the 10th inning at second base and was replaced by Austin Slater after moving to third on Tyler Stephenson’s groundout. Fairchild followed with a run-scoring double to left field against Manuel Rodriguez (1-2).
Nick Martinez (4-5) pitched two scoreless innings for the victory. Alexis Diaz retired Jonny DeLuca with runners at the corners in the 10th inning for his 20th save.
Cincinnati has won three straight following a four-game losing streak.
The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Shane Baz issued a pair of walks and both baserunners scored on Candelario’s two-out double to right field.
The Rays pulled even in the second inning against Nick Lodolo, who began the inning by hitting Isaac Paredes with a pitch.
Paredes moved to third on DeLuca’s double and scored on Jose Siri’s groundout. The Rays pushed another run across when Jose Caballero followed with an RBI single to left field.
Tampa Bay had runners at second and third with one out in the fourth inning, but Lodolo escaped unscathed when Taylor Walls popped out and Alex Jackson grounded out.
Lodolo allowed two runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. He retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced.
Baz yielded two runs on two hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out seven in his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery.
The Rays had two runners on with two outs in the eighth inning against Martinez before Caballero popped out. Tampa Bay finished 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz returned after missing seven games due to a family matter and went 1-for-5.
TJ Friedl finished 0-for-3 with a walk after being activated off the injured list before the game for the Reds, who won despite being outhit 7-3.
–Field Level Media
