Tyler Stephenson walks it off, Reds come back to defeat Padres 5-4

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the GameWith the MLB leader in saves on the mound, things looked dire for the Reds, but they battled like they always do and came up with a walk-off win. The man who hit that walk-off was Tyler Damn Stephenson. He had 2 hits on the night and smoked a line drive to right drive in the winning run. That’s already his third walk-off hit in his young career. Have a trophy, Ty Steve.Honorable mentions are due to: Kyle Farmer https://www.cincinnatistoreonline.com/111-Reds_Hector_Perez_Jersey, who had 3 hits, including the game tying hom run; Alejo Lopez, who had 4 hits in only his second career start; Jonathan India, who reached base 5 times; Luis Castillo, who was dominant in his first four innings before he was interrupted by the weather; Art Warren, who struck out 3 straight in the 9th after giving up a lead-off double; Key PlaysAfter a scoreless first inning, the Reds were on the good side of the BABIP gods in the second. Alejo Lopez led off with a single then moved to second after a walk by Aristides Aquino. Kyle Farmer would then load the bases on a bloop single to center. That brought up Luis Castillo, who chopped one to short, high enough to score Lopez but lose Aquino at third. Jonathan India then came up and doubled off the glove of Trent Grisham in center to score Farmer to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.With Luis Castillo dealing, retiring 11 of his first 12 batters, rain came in the top of the fifth inning https://www.cincinnatistoreonline.com/29-Reds_Chico_Ruiz_Jersey. He led off the inning by walking Manny Machado and then gave up an infield single to Eric Hosmer. After striking out Wil Myers, he would then give up a double off the wall in center to Jurickson Profar to score Machado. The Reds were able to get that run back in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Alejo Lopez would reach on an infield single for his third hit of the night. He would then move up to second on a botched pick-off attempt and then move up to third on a passed ball. Aristides Aquino would then smoke a line drive to right for a double and give the Reds a 3-1 lead.Castillo ran into some more trouble in the top of the seventh. Manny Machado singled to center and then moved to second on another infield single by Eric Hosmer. After striking out Wil Myers, he would walk Jurickson Profar to load the bases. Tommy Pham would then take a 3-2 pitch and line it to center for a 2-RBI single to tie the game. That would end Castillo’s night and bring on Amir Garrett, who would retire the next two batters and keep the game tied.The Padres took the lead in the top of the 8th. Fernando Tatis, Jr. led off with a single and then stole second with 1 out. Manny Machado hit a grounder to short and the Reds were able to throw Tatis, Jr. out after he got too far off the base on the grounder https://www.cincinnatistoreonline.com/109-Reds_Deivy_Grullon_Jersey. Machado then stole second. Eric Hosmer then hit a grounder to third, which Alejo Lopez short-hopped the throw and Votto couldn’t handle it, allowing Machado to score. Padres lead, 4-3.Kyle Fucking Farmer came up with one out in the 9th and blasted a line drive over the wall in center to tie the game at 4-4! That brought up Tucker Barnhart, who walked and was then replaced by Mike Freeman. Jonathan India took a 3-2 pitch and smoked a line drive to left center, which was dropped by Profar and landed India and Freeman on second and third Nick Senzel Jersey. Jesse Winker then hit a slow roller to second and Mike Freeman was thrown out at home for the second out. The Padres intentionally walked Castellanos to load the bases and then Tyler Stephenson smoked a liner to right to give the Reds the 5-4 victory!Tony GraphaninoSource: FanGraphsOther NotesIn case you missed it, Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos were both named starters in the 2021 All-Star Game. Cool stuff.Luis Castillo was very good once again. He faced the minimum through the first four innings and didn’t give up a hit until the fifth. He was a little less sharp after the rain delay but was still hitting 98-99 MPH on his fastball after 100 pitches. In all, he went 6.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. Who knows what that line would have been without the rain delay because he was absolutely dominant before the delay.Another important series looms tomorrow against the stupid Chicago Cubs.