Iglesias, Winker homer lead Reds to defeat Marlins

Jose Iglesias and Jesse Winker hit solo homers in the eighth inning as the Cincinnati Reds rallied to defeat the visiting Miami Marlins 2-1 on Wednesday night. Both homers were hit off reliever Drew Steckenrider (0-2), who was taken deep both times on fastballs to the opposite field. Iglesias' shot, his first of the season, went 391 feet to right-centre. Winker's blow, his second, travelled 358 feet to left.

The Marlins, who were shut out by the Reds 14-0 on Tuesday, managed a Neil Walker homer Wednesday. Walker's long ball, his second of the year, gave Miami the lead in the third inning, and it held up until Cincinnati's late power surge. Amir Garrett (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Raisel Iglesias struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the season. All three batters went down swinging.

Miami's Trevor Richards pitched six scoreless innings but was left with a no-decision after a career-high 108 pitches. He allowed five walks but just one hit -- a ground-ball single. He threw 52 pitches in the first two innings before becoming more efficient, finishing with seven strikeouts. Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle, who pitched six scoreless innings last week in his 2019 debut, was pretty good again but also got a no-decision. He allowed two hits and four walks but just one run in five innings, striking out seven.

Cincinnati loaded the bases on Richards with one out in the first. However, Scott Schebler flew out to shallow centre, where Lewis Brinson caught the ball and fired a two-hop throw to the plate to complete a double play. Catcher Jorge Alfaro tagged out Joey Votto, who had tagged up at third. Similarly, Miami loaded the bases with one out in the second. Richards then struck out, and Curtis Granderson bounced out to shortstop Iglesias, who, due to a shift, ranged over to the normal second base spot.

Iglesias got the assist by flipping the ball to first base with his glove instead of his hand. Miami got on the board in the third as Walker pulled his 389-foot shot to right. He hit a 1-2, low slider that registered at just 80 mph. 

(With inputs from agencies.)