Pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run single to cap a four-run in the seventh inning and CJ Cron hit a ninth-inning, two-run homer to give the Colorado Rockies an 8-4 victory over the Reds on Sunday. of Cincinnati in the first matchup of a doubleheader.
Rookie left-hander Nick Lodolo tied a career high with nine strikeouts, TJ Friedl hit a pair of homers and Jonathan India hit a two-run homer for Cincinnati.
Rockies starter Germán Márquez (8-10) allowed just one hit in the first five innings, Friedl’s solo homer leading off the fourth. Friedl homered again off Marquez in the sixth to make it 2-0. It was the first game with at least two home runs in his career.
Friedl has hit five home runs since being promoted on Aug. 16. He is the first Reds hitter this season to hit two homers in a game off the same pitcher.
Lodolo allowed just three runners in six innings and left the game with a two-run lead, but the Reds’ bullpen, one of the worst in the majors, couldn’t put it together.
The Reds came within a run with India’s two-run shot off Carlos Esteves in the eighth inning, but Cron closed the door with his 25th homer of the season, a two-run shot off Art Warren.
Joe Kuhnel (2-3) took the loss.
For the Rockies, Cuban José Iglesias 2-0. Dominican Elehuris Montero 5-1 with a run scored. The Venezuelan Elías Díaz without an official turn and one scored.
For the Reds, Colombian Donovan Solano 4-0. Cuban Jose Barrero 4-0.