Cincinnati Reds: Game-by-game recap of 11-game winning streak

Joey Votto had a simple answer when Dan Patrick asked him Wednesday on his radio show what was the difference between the 2023 Cincinnati Reds, who are 40-35 after winning 11 games in a row, and the 2022 Reds, the first Reds team to lose 100 games in 30 years.

“Players,” Votto said. “We have three position player rookies that are new to the team, that a lot of people are asking to be on the All-Star team.”

Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer, not to mention starting pitcher Andrew Abbott, have propelled the Reds to the top of the National League Central Division standings. They have averaged 6.2 runs per game during the 11-game winning streak, while Reds pitchers have a 3.65 ERA.

The Atlanta Braves (48-26), who have an eight-game winning streak of their own, will try to end that streak this week. The Reds and Braves start a three-game series at Great American Ball Park on Friday.

Here’s a look back at the Reds’ 11-game streak:

No. 1, June 10

Score: Reds 8, Cardinals 4.

Key moment: The Reds took a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Luke Maile drove in three runs with a bases-loaded trip.

Star of the game: Abbott threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his second career start.

Standings: The Reds climbed within four games of the Pirates and Brewers, who were tied for first.

No. 2, June 11

Score: Reds 4, Cardinals 3.

Key moment: With the game tied in the eighth, De La Cruz walked, moved to second on a groundout by Steer and reached third on a passed ball. He then scored the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice groundout to shortstop by Tyler Stephenson. The throw came home but was to the right of the plate. De La Cruz beat the tag with another headfirst slide.

Stars of the game: Relievers Ian Gibaut, Lucas Sims and Alexis Diaz combined to throw 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

Standings: The Reds stayed four games behind the Pirates but moved within three games of the Brewers.

No. 3, June 12

Score: Reds 5, Royals 4.

Key moment: TJ Friedl scored from third base on a groundout by Jonathan India in the 10th.

Star of the game: In his big-league debut, Ricky Karcher got the save with a scoreless 10th. stranding runners at second and third.

Standings: The Reds moved within 3½ games of the the Pirates and within two games of the Brewers.

No. 4, June 13

Score: Reds 5, Royals 4.

Key moments: Steer, Kevin Newman, Stuart Fairchild and Friedl all had RBI hits in the second inning as the Reds built a 5-0 lead.

Star of the game: Diaz pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save.

Standings: The Reds cut the Pirates’ lead to two games and moved within 1½ games of the Brewers.

No. 5, June 14

Score: Reds 7, Royals 4.

Key moments: McLain hit a three-run home run in the fifth. Jonathan India followed with a solo home run. The Reds built a 7-1 lead.

Star of the game: McLain went 2-for-4, raising his average to .328.

Standings: The Reds cut the Pirates’ lead to 1½ games and moved within a half game of the Brewers.

No. 6, June 16

Score: Reds 2, Astros 1.

Key moments: Stephenson broke a scoreless tie with a home run in the seventh. Newman’s double later in the inning scored Will Benson to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.

Star of the game: Abbott threw six scoreless innings to improve to 3-0.

Standings: The Reds moved into a tie for second place with the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight game. They both trailed the Brewers by a half game.

No. 7, June 17

Score: Reds 10, Astros 3.

Key moment: India hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and the Reds had the lead the rest of the game.

Star of the game: Benson went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

Standings: The Reds stayed a half game behind the Brewers.

No. 8, June 18

Score: Reds 9, Astros 7.

Key moment: Friedl, De La Cruz and Jake Fraley all drove in runs in the 10th inning to give the Reds a cushion.

Star of the game: Fraley went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Standings: The Reds stayed a half game behind the Brewers.

No. 9, June 19

Score: Reds 5, Rockies 4.