Tigers Get To Cincinnati's Bullpen For The Second Straight Day, Knock Off Reds 3-2

C.J. Cron hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Detroit Tigers got to Cincinnati's bullpen for the second straight day in a 3-2 victory over the Reds on Sunday.

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 26: Cameron Maybin #4 of the Detroit Tigers congratulates C.J. Cron #26 at home plate after Cron hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to secure the win for Detroit against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 26, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Detroit defeated Cincinnati 3-2. Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Miguel Cabrera led off with a 10-pitch walk before Cron connected against Michael Lorenzen (0-1), sending an opposite-field drive deep to right.

"Those guys — (Cron) and (Jonathan Schoop) and Miggy— they're run-producers," Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They're legit. When they're looking for a pitch and get it, they hit it a long way. It's all about coming up big in big moments."

The Reds got one back when Freddy Galvis and Aristides Aquino opened the bottom half with consecutive doubles. Aquino advanced to third on Curt Casali's fly ball to center, but Joe Jiménez got Joey Votto to bounce into a game-ending double play for his second save in two days.

"We took two out of three against probably the best pitching staff we'll face all year," Cron said. "That's a big confidence-boost going home."

José Cisneros (1-0) pitched the eighth for the win.

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 26: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers forces out Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park on July 26, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Detroit defeated Cincinnati 3-2. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Cincinnati played without second baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Nick Senzel after each player was scratched. Moustakas was placed on the injured list because he wasn't feeling well, according to manager David Bell. Senzel also reported feeling sick.

The moves came a day after Reds infielder Matt Davidson went on the injured list because he tested positive for the coronavirus.

Cincinnati wasted a terrific pitching performance for the second straight game. Trevor Bauer matched a career-high by striking out 13 in 6 1/3 innings.

Luis Castillo struck out 11 and handed a 3-1 lead over to Cincinnati's bullpen on Saturday. But Robert Stephenson, Lorenzen, and Raisel Iglesias allowed home runs in what became a 6-4 victory for the Tigers.

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 26: A stadium employee changes the sign after pitcher Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds gets his fourth strikeout in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park on July 26, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Wasting such efforts isn't Lorenzen's main concern.

"Just losing games is tough, no matter what the situation is or what's going on," he said.

Cron also went deep in Detroit's 7-1 loss on opening day, making a nice first impression after signing with the Tigers in free agency.

The Tigers jumped in front in the series finale on Niko Goodrum's third-inning homer. But Votto responded with a tying RBI single in the fifth.

Spencer Turnbull pitched five effective innings for Detroit in his first start since he went 3-17 with a 4.61 ERA last season. He struck out eight and issued four walks.

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 26: Spencer Turnbull #56 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 26, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

KEEP IT LIGHT

When Bauer was lifted, he pantomimed a repeat of last season's infamous throw to center field after he was pulled from a game while he was with Cleveland.

"Having fun," he said. "Trying to keep the game light and entertaining for the fans. I get worn out about it a lot. Everyone on Twitter is like, 'Go throw the ball over center field like a baby' or 'Have ánother tempter tantrum' or whatever the case is, so I figured I'd give the trolls something to chew on."

TWO WAYS

Detroit center fielder JaCoby Jones robbed Curt Casali of at least a double with a leaping catch before crashing into the wall. Jones fell to the ground and did a backward somersault before getting to his feet.

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 26: JaCoby Jones #21 of the Detroit Tigers rolls head over heels after leaping at the wall in the fifth inning to make the catch and rob the Cincinnati Reds of a hit at Great American Ball Park on July 26, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Detroit defeated Cincinnati 3-2. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Jones also hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning of Saturday's victory.

'K' CLUB

For the first time since the mound was moved to its current distance from the plate, Reds pitchers piled up at least 10 strikeouts in each of their first three games, according to information from Elias.

TRAINING ROOM

Reds: C Tyler Stephenson was recalled to take Moustakas' roster spot. ... 2B Josh VanMeter stayed in the game after he was hit on the left wrist with a pitch leading off the sixth.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Michael Fulmer makes his first appearance since Sept. 25, 2018, in a start against Kansas City on Monday. The 2016 AL Rookie of the Year underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2019.

Reds: LHP Wade Miley (14-6 with Astros in 2019) makes his Cincinnati debut in the opener of a four-game series against the Cubs on Monday.

© 2020 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.