Reds topple the Dodgers 5-4 on Thursday night
Cincinnati took the Dodgers down on Thursday night under the lights in Goodyear. It was just the second loss of the spring for Los Angeles and the win moved the Reds to 4-1-1 in the Cactus League.
Game Recap: Reds 5 – Dodgers 4
The Reds and the Dodgers didn’t take much time to complete this one. Despite the two teams combining for nine runs the game took all of two hours and 20 minutes. Graham Ashcraft looked strong in his spring debut, Elly De La Cruz got on base twice, Edwin Arroyo drove in two, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand almost knocked over the wall in center with a triple.
The Highlights
Cincinnati got to work early on the night as Elly De La Cruz picked up a single and took third when Jeimer Candelario followed up with a single of his own. Spencer Steer then gave the Reds a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly.
Graham Ashcraft, making his spring debut, allowed just one walk in 2.0 hitless innings that featured two strikeouts. Fernando Cruz and Tejay Antone both threw a perfect inning of relief after that.
In the bottom of the 4th the Dodgers made a pitching change, bringing in Landon Knack and the Reds didn’t give him the best of greetings. Tyler Stephenson worked a walk and then scored when Christian Encarnacion-Strand tripled off of the wall in center. He’d score when Mike Ford grounded out to make it 3-0.
