The Cincinnati Reds came into Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves as the hottest team in baseball, riding an 11-game winning streak. It looked like the Braves would end their impressive streak, but the Reds overcame some real adversity to extend their winning streak, which tied a franchise record.
It was a tough matchup for the Reds, with Atlanta holding the best record in the National League. The Braves also had their own impressive win streak going, winning eight straight prior to the game.
Atlanta blitzed the Reds right out of the gate, scoring five first-inning runs on Reds starting pitcher Luke Weaver including a three-run home run from Braves catcher Travis D’Arnaud.
Travis d'Arnaud with an oppo 3-run blast! 💣
The Braves are up 5-0 in the 1st inning. Atlanta enters with an 8-game winning streak, while the Cincinnati Reds have an 11-game winning streak on the line. ⚾️pic.twitter.com/DGgZ5jDRtd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 23, 2023
Plenty of teams wouldn’t have been able to overcome this rough start, but this new-look Reds team is very clearly a team to be reckoned with.
Rookie phenom Elly De La Cruz had a historically great game, hitting for the cycle in just his 15th MLB game.
Elly De La Cruz has hit for the cycle and it's only the 6th inning! ⚾️🔥pic.twitter.com/3yarafCv9U
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 24, 2023
He was far from the only Reds player to have a standout game though. Six-time All-Star Joey Votto also starred in just his fourth game of the season, hitting two home runs to help the Reds regain the lead.
Joey Votto crushes a solo homer and the Reds have erased a 5-0 deficit to tie it up! ⚾️💣pic.twitter.com/K2MLrWZzHr
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 24, 2023
Joey Votto with his second homer of the night to give the Reds a 9-7 lead over the Braves! ⚾️💣pic.twitter.com/V9cUvxTnnW
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 24, 2023
The Braves kept it close throughout, but Reds closer Alexis Díaz was able to close the show in the ninth inning to secure an 11-10 victory.
The @Reds complete their 5th straight come-from-behind win and their league-leading 27th of the season. pic.twitter.com/rHf8iS0j4J
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) June 24, 2023
Many around the MLB world took notice of the offensive outburst by the Reds, and are now believing that Cincinnati is a real threat in the National League.
Sold out Crowd in Cincinnati
Elly De La Cruz HR
Joey Votto HRJust an incredible time for Reds fans. @StoolBaseball pic.twitter.com/VJjPdb5vPq
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 24, 2023
Reds fans deserve this. What a night.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 24, 2023
Cincinnati Reds Last 12 Games
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W pic.twitter.com/0pYtaeC7DU— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) June 24, 2023
THE CINCINNATI REDS, ON THE BACK OF AN ELLY DE LA CRUZ CYCLE AND A TWO HOMER GAME FOR JOEY VOTTO, HAVE WON 12 STRAIGHT BASEBALL GAMES pic.twitter.com/hv68dhSOAb
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 24, 2023
Perhaps the most impressive part of their winning streak has been their ability to come back from early deficits. They have trailed in portions of their last five wins of the 12-game win streak, which is the most consecutive comebacks for them since at least 1930.
Tonight was the Reds 5th straight come from behind win. That matches their longest streak since at least 1930.
It was also their 3rd win this season when trailing by 5+ runs, matching their total from 2018-2022 combined.
— Joel Luckhaupt (@jluckhaupt) June 24, 2023
The Reds will try to break their franchise win streak record in the second game of the series against the Braves on Saturday.
