Twenty minutes later and 820 miles away, Jose Barrero gave the Reds a big lead with a grand slam that bounced off a light pole over the Green Monster in Cincinnati’s 9-8 win over Boston at Fenway Park.
“It was like a home run in a video game,” said Will Benson, who won 3-of-5 with his first treble of his career.
At the start of the streak, Benson had netted just two goals in 12 games that season. The outfielder’s three hits and three runs scored were both career highs and joined Barrero, who also had four RBIs, career-highs.
Barrero didn’t come into play until the fourth inning when he replaced TJ Friedl, who retired with a left hamstring strain after taking the lead in the second inning from a fielder’s pick. Barrero made his first plate appearance before beating a 2-0 thrashing from Red Sox replacement Joely Rodríguez for his first slam of his career.
“Very happy. That was a great home run, 100 percent. It was my first Grand Slam and also my first time here at Fenway, so it was a really great experience,” Barrero said of translator Jorge Merlos. “But the important thing is that the team won.”
Barrero played 209 innings shortstop that season before the Reds called up Matt McLain, their No. 5 junior, on May 15. McLain, who was named Tuesday’s NL Player of the Week, is considered a mainstay in the Cincinnati infield for the foreseeable future.
In the outfield, however, the Reds have significantly less depth. Only three of their top 20 contenders are outfielders — Jay Allen II (No. 12), Rece Hinds (No. 17) and Ariel Almonte (No. 20) — none of whom have played through Double-A and two of them On The injured list includes the following major league outfield options: Wil Myers (left shoulder sprain) and Henry Ramos (right hip sprain).
“[Barrero is] “A big part of our team,” said manager David Bell. “Even if he doesn’t start every game, there are chances he gets off the bench, there are starts he’s had and will continue to have. He just has to be ready. It’s his job and he has a great attitude towards it and that helps you play better when you get your chance.”
Barrero showed his outfield value by starting a fifth-round relay that ultimately proved to be a crucial out. Red Sox outfielder Raimel Tapia smoked a 103.5 mph double down the middle that Barrero caught back and threw at 91.2 mph to McLain, who then fired the ball at 86.5 mph to Tyler Catching Stephenson and putting Kiké Hernández on the plate.
“It’s amazing how important every little thing is,” Bell said. “You ended up getting a one-run game and a play like that, you just never know what would have happened if it hadn’t been implemented the way it was. And [Barrero] was a big part of it.”
Reds starter Ben Lively followed up his first win as a starter since 2017 with another strong start, keeping Boston’s offense to just two hits and zero runs in his 5 2/3-inning outing. The Cincinnati relievers then allowed eight runs — including a seventh run with three runs for Fernando Cruz and five runs that Eduardo Salazar gave up in the ninth run — prompting the Reds to call closer Alexis Díaz for the final two outs for his 13. Save to post.
“It’s a good team, you never relax,” Bell said. “They get credit for fighting their way back into the game. Sometimes you can’t keep up a game like that. To help us keep up there, Alexis did a great job getting ready quickly. I came straight in and it’s not an easy situation, especially considering the dynamic has changed so much.”
With their win in Boston and Milwaukee’s loss in Toronto, the Reds were three games behind the Brewers, who lead in NL Central.
“It’s bullshit,” Benson said. “Energy is at an all-time high. From what I’ve heard, that wasn’t the case last year. It’s cool to be a part of and it feels like something really special is happening here.”