Tyler Stephenson’s grand slam highlighted a five-run first inning and propelled the host Cincinnati Reds to a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.
Spencer Steer had three hits, Stuart Fairchild added two and Elly De La Cruz walked four times for the Reds, who made the most of their eight hits.
Miguel Sano was a triple shy of the cycle for the Angels and hit his first home run since April 15, 2022.
Red starter Graham Ashcraft (3-1) got the victory despite allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in five-plus innings. He struck out four.
The Angels scored twice in the first inning. Anthony Rendon led off the game with an infield single but had to be removed for a pinch runner because of a strained hamstring. Mike Trout singled and with one out, Sano hit an RBI double and Brandon Drury followed with an RBI groundout.
But the Reds responded with five runs in the bottom of the first against Patrick Sandoval (1-3).
Steer reached on an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error by Luis Rengifo, who replaced Rendon at third base. Fairchild doubled to left, scoring Steer and trimming the Reds’ deficit to 2-1. Jeimer Candelario walked and one batter later, De La Cruz also walked to load the bases. Stephenson followed with a grand slam to right field, his third homer of the season, putting the Reds up 5-2.
Sandoval allowed seven runs on six hits and five walks in four-plus innings. He struck six.
Nick Martinez threw three scoreless innings for Cincinnati and Alexis Diaz pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save of the season.
–Field Level Media
