Reds continue skid in loss to Cardinals
Yadier Molina homered and drove in three runs Friday night, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-3 victory that deepened the Cincinnati Reds’ worst season-opening slump since 1955.
St. Louis came into the series with a stagnant offense but broke out during two games against the worst pitching staff in the majors, piling up 18 runs and 25 hits. Molina – booed loudly in each plate appearance at Great American Ball Park – has homered in each game.
The Reds lost their sixth in a row and have the worst record in the majors at 2-11. They also lost 11 of their first 13 games in 1955. Another loss on Saturday would produce their worst start since 1931.
Luke Weaver (2-0) allowed Devin Mesoraco’s two-run homer while pitching into the seventh and beating the Reds for the third time in a row. Weaver is 9-1 in 12 starts since Aug. 2. Bud Norris allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth while getting his second save in two chances, fanning Tucker Barnhart for the final out.
N.Y. Mets 6, Milwaukee 5 : Todd Frazier hit his first two home runs with the Mets, new catcher Jose Lobaton tripled in his first at-bat with the team, and New York extended its winning streak to nine with a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Steven Matz ended an 11-start winless streak dating to June 28 as New York improved to 11-1 under new manager Mickey Callaway, the best start in team history. The Mets are on their longest winning streak since 11 consecutive victories from April 12-23, 2015.
Colorado 2, Washington 1: Carlos Gonzalez homered and had a sacrifice fly to drive in both of Colorado’s runs, leading the Rockies to their third straight victory with a 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals.
Gonzalez gave the Rockies a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with his third homer of the season, and hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Scott Oberg (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief for the win and Wade Davis worked the ninth for his sixth save as five Rockies relievers combined for 4 1/3 hitless innings.