Stephenson hits 2-run homer as Reds beat Pirates 3-1

CINCINNATI (AP) — Rookie Tyler Stephenson hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a doubleheader on Monday.

With two out and the bases empty, rookie Jose Garcia singled to left against Sam Howard (2-2). Manager David Bell then sent Stephenson up to hit for Shogo Akiyama, and the catcher hit a drive to left for his second homer.

The 24-year-old Stephenson lifted his batting helmet off his head with his left hand and pumped both arms in the sir before being swarmed by teammates at the plate.

“I had one of these at High A, but this was so much more exciting,” Stephenson said. ”(Coach) Freddie (Benavides) told me right before that, if Jose gets on, I’m going to pinch-hit. I had been hitting in the cage all game, but that time I didn’t get a chance to put my gloves on because it was the next pitch he got a hit.”

Howard was in his second inning of work, but he was facing the bottom of Cincinnati's lineup.

“We had the matchups we liked," Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. “He did a good job. Garcia got the hit. He got a breaking ball up to Stephenson, and he got it up and out of the ballpark. He didn’t execute a pitch.”

Trevor Bauer and Cincinnati carried a 1-0 lead into the seventh, but Colin Moran led off with his eighth homer. Bauer had retired 14 consecutive batters before Moran’s towering fly ball into the seats in right.

“I went from hating my life for giving up that home run — analyzing everything I did wrong,” Bauer said. “I was looking for something to break our way. I’m really happy for (Stephenson).”

Bauer, who was trying for his third seven-inning shutout of the pandemic-shortened season, was pulled with one out and two...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Stephenson-homers-lifts-Reds-to-3-1-win-over-15566837.php