Winker hits three home runs as Reds bounce back from 19-4 loss

Winker hit solo home runs in the third, fifth and eighth innings. After his third home run, he took a curtain call, climbing to the top of the dugout steps and waving to the fans. Fans chanted “MVP” at Winker as he took his place in left field in the ninth inning.

“I’m really at a loss for words right now,” Winker said after the game. “It was really really cool. It was very special to me. I’m very thankful. I have amazing teammates. The fans, they packed it out man. It was really cool. A moment like that, it’s what you dream of as a kid. It was a dream that came true. I’m very thankful and very honored. I just appreciate everything.

Winker went 4-for-4, raising his batting average to a league-best .356. He has 11 home runs.

“I really try to work and stay very routine based, but I want to work on both sides of the ball: hitting and defense and base running,” he said. “I want to be better. I have great guys I learn from every day: amazing teammates, amazing coaching staff. I work with Joe Mather and Alan Zinter. We work every day. I just want to go compete and try to hit the ball hard. Tonight was one of those nights I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’m just really happy.”

This was the 39th three home run game by a Reds player. Thirty one different players have accomplished the feat. There has been one four home run game: Scooter Gennett in 2017. Prior to Winker, the last Red to hit three home runs in a game was Eugenio Suarez last September.

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Winker had hit two home runs in a game three times in his career. He hit the home runs Friday while batting first in the order.

“I really don’t want to give an at-bat away,” Winker said. “I want to be ultra competitive. Batting out of the leadoff spot, I want to hit the ball hard. I want to try to set the tone any way that I can because we have a very explosive offense, and we’re full of outstanding players and hitters.”

Tyler Naquin equaled Winker with three RBIs. He hit a three-run home run in the first inning.

One day after losing 19-4 to the San Francisco Giants, who swept a four-game series, the Reds (20-23) won their first game of the season against the Brewers, the only National League Central Division team they hadn’t seen. The Reds improved to 10-6 against teams in their division.

On the mound, Jeff Hoffman delivered his best start since April, allowing one run on two hits in five innings. He lowered his ERA from 4.67 to 4.31.