Zack Cozart went 3-for-3 and delivered the tying run in the eighth before Joey Votto’s two-run single in the five-run inning lifted the Reds to a 6-2 Opening Day victory over the Phillies at Great American Ball Park.
Philadelphia carried a 2-1 lead into the eighth when reliever David Hernandez loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and Scott Schebler’s pinch-hit double. Lefty James Russell took over, and Cozart skied a sacrifice fly to short right field. Pinch-runner Tyler Holt scored on a headfirst slide just ahead of Peter Bourjos’ throw. Russell walked Eugenio Suarez to load the bases for Votto.
Taking a 0-for-3, three-strikeout day into the at-bat, Votto made that a fleeting memory by lining Russell’s 1-1 pitch into center field for the game-winner. Jay Bruce blew it open with a bases-loaded single that added two more runs, as nine men batted in the bottom of the eighth.
“Everybody makes this big deal about Opening Day. In the standings, it could be the least important day of the year,” Bruce said. “But it’s awesome to get that win and get the momentum going the right way. Especially coming back, the way we won was great. I think it shows everyone we’re capable of coming back and stealing a game from guys.”
Cozart had all three of his hits vs. Jeremy Hellickson, while the rest of the Reds’ lineup went hitless vs. the Phillies’ starter. But the Philadelphia bullpen could not maintain that success in the late innings, while the Reds’ three scoreless innings of relief made it possible for Cincinnati to battle back and win.
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