Reds beat Cardinals 6-1 thanks to two home runs by Steer

The Cincinnati Reds fell behind 1-0 early but scored the game’s final six runs. Spencer Steer hit two home runs and drove in five runs on the day as the home team crushed the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

The Cardinals got nowhere in the 1st inning, but became dangerous in the 2nd when Paul Goldschmidt hit a double with one out. The next two batters entered the game on a hit by pitch and a walk, loading the bases. But Andrew Abbott came through and got Pedro Pages to hit a ground ball and make a double play, leaving runners on the field and keeping the game scoreless.

The next inning didn’t go quite as well for the Reds left-hander. Once again, a 2-out rally got him in trouble, and this time Nolen Arenado took advantage with an RBI single to center that put St. Louis ahead 1-0.

It didn’t take long for Cincinnati to get going on the other side of the inning. Jake Fraley led off with a walk, but back-to-back strikeouts meant the Reds would need their own two-out magic. They got it in the form of back-to-back home runs from Spencer Steer and Elly De La Cruz that opened up a 3-1 lead. Two innings later, it was Steer who did the damage again, hitting another home run – this time a three-run blast that put the home team ahead by five runs.

Andrew Abbott was on a roll until he allowed a one-out single in the 7th inning. After Spencer Steer was pulled off base on a throwing error with two outs in the inning and two Cardinals on base, Cincinnati called Jakob Junis out of the bullpen. He came in and struck out Willson Contreras on four pitches to end the threat. From there, he retired the next six batters to give the Reds a 6-1 win and open the series.

Key moment of the game

Spencer Steers’ 3-run home run in the 5th inning that turned a 2-run lead into a 5-run lead for the Reds.

Noteworthy information

Spencer Steer had never hit two home runs in a game as a major leaguer. The last time he did so in the minor leagues was on July 5, 2022, and on that day he actually hit three home runs.

Andrew Abbott’s strong start helped lower his ERA to 3.59 this season.

Jake Fraley went 1-2 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored.

After allowing three home runs, Sonny Gray has now allowed 14 home runs away from home and just three at home, despite throwing more innings in St. Louis this season.

Next up for the Cincinnati Reds

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

Tuesday, August 13, 6:40 p.m. ET

Erick Fedde (8-5, 3.28 ERA) vs. Hunter Greene (8-4, 2.90 ERA)