Tyler Stephenson went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and the Cincinnati Reds collected 14 hits en route to a 7-2 win against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game set on Friday.
Starting pitcher Nick Martinez (9-9) held Tampa Bay to two runs on four hits and struck out five over five innings for the Reds, who have won two in a row after a three-game losing streak.
Rays starter Zack Littell (8-8) gave up five runs on 10 hits in six innings with two strikeouts and no walks. Tampa Bay has lost four of its past five games.
Down by a run entering the bottom of the fourth, Cincinnati capitalized on some timely hitting to rally and grab the lead.
After Austin Hays (3-for-5) singled to lead off the frame, Gavin Lux reached on a fielder’s choice with first baseman Jonathan Aranda’s throw to second hitting Hays in the back as he ran. Spencer Steer then laid down a bunt single to load the bases.
Will Benson drove in Hays to tie the game 2-2, and Lux scored to put the Reds up 3-2 on Noelvi Marte’s single.
Cincinnati added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth. Marte connected for a two-out double and TJ Friedl launched a home run into the bullpen in right field to make it 5-2.
Stephenson delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh that brought in Elly De La Cruz (4-for-5) and Hays to make it 7-2.
Stephenson gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, lifting a sinker just over the wall in right-center field.
The Rays tied it in the top of the third. Chandler Simpson reached on a force out, stole second, and moved to third when Yandy Diaz flied out. Aranda followed and connected for a single that brought in Simpson.
They took a 2-1 lead the next inning. Christopher Morel singled to center and stole second with Taylor Walls at the plate. Walls then knocked a double into the right field corner, driving in Morel.