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Austin Hays Powers Cincinnati Reds To Comeback Win Over Mariners, Season Back On?
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On a chilly Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Reds secured an 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners in the series opener, marking their fourth straight win and pushing their record to 9-8, above .500 for the first time since May 2024.
The game was a showcase for Austin Hays, who made a thunderous debut with the Reds after missing the season’s first 16 games due to a left calf strain. Signed to a one-year, $5 million contract in January, the 2023 All-Star outfielder proved his worth, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including a pivotal three-run homer, and etched his name in Reds history as only the third player since 1920 to drive in at least four runs in his team debut.
The Reds trailed early, with Mariners’ Dylan Moore hitting a leadoff homer and adding a two-run shot off starter Nick Lodolo, who struggled, allowing four runs over 4 2/3 innings. Seattle’s Luis Castillo, a former Reds ace, held a 4-2 lead into the fifth, but Cincinnati’s offense, bolstered by Hays and Gavin Lux, flipped the script. Lux, who had four hits, drove in two runs, including an RBI single in the fifth that set the stage for Hays. With two on, Hays crushed a 1-1 fastball from Castillo to center field for a go-ahead three-run homer, giving the Reds a 6-4 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The crowd of 17,205 roared as Hays rounded the bases, signaling his arrival as a key piece in Cincinnati’s lineup.
The Reds’ bullpen sealed the win, with Scott Barlow earning the victory, and Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagán combining for scoreless relief. Pagán closed the ninth with ease, retiring the Mariners in order. Despite Moore’s two homers and four RBIs for Seattle, their four-game win streak ended as Castillo faltered, allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings. Hays’ debut underscored the Reds’ offensive potential, especially with Matt McLain and Alexis Diaz also returning from the injured list. As Cincinnati eyes a strong homestand, Hays’ historic night suggests he could be the spark to sustain their momentum.
The teams face off again Wednesday, with Nick Martinez starting for the Reds against Bryce Miller.
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