CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds bounced back from an early three-run deficit Wednesday afternoon, slugging three home runs to defeat the San Diego Padres 7-3 and claim the rubber game of the three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
San Diego wasted little time jumping in front. Ty France launched a two-run homer in the opening inning before Fernando Tatis Jr. added an RBI single in the second, giving the Padres a 3-0 advantage and threatening to seize control of the game.
The Reds answered immediately.
Juan Brito erased the deficit with one swing, belting the first home run of his Major League career—a three-run shot to right field—to tie the game. Two batters later, Héctor Rodríguez connected on a solo homer of his own, turning a three-run hole into a 4-3 Cincinnati lead before the Padres could record the third out of the inning.
Making his first Major League appearance since April after recovering from a shoulder injury, Brandon Williamson settled down after the rocky start. The left-hander worked 5? innings, allowing three runs while striking out five to earn the victory in his return to the Reds' rotation.
Cincinnati added an insurance run in the sixth when Matt McLain lifted a sacrifice fly to score Elly De La Cruz. An inning later, J.J. Bleday provided the final blow with a two-run home run to right, stretching the lead to 7-3. Bleday finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Rodríguez added two hits as the Reds collected 10 hits on the afternoon.
After Williamson departed, the Cincinnati bullpen took over. Parker Johnson, Tejay Antone, Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán combined to hold San Diego scoreless over the final 3? innings, preserving the series victory. Pagán worked a clean ninth inning for his 20th save of the season.
The win gave the Reds consecutive series victories after also taking two of three from the Cubs in Chicago. While Cincinnati remains on the outside of the National League playoff race, the club continues to receive encouraging contributions from its young core, highlighted Wednesday by Brito's milestone home run and another productive afternoon from Rodríguez.
What's Next: The Reds are off Thursday before opening a three-game weekend series against the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.