We struck first in the bottom of the 1st when Jo reached on an infield single and Ward with a base hit to right, driving in Trout for a quick 1–0 lead. It was the kind of start that we were hoping for.
But Cincinnati had an answer… In the top of the 2nd, Noelvi Marte launched a 415-foot homer to center to even the score. Just two innings later, the Reds broke things open. Marte doubled to right to push across another run and Miguel Andújar followed with a two-run double to left. Cincinnati had a 3-1 edge they wouldn’t surrender.
In the 5th Andújar singled home De La Cruz, making it 4-1. From there Hunter Greene settled in on the mound, keeping our hitters quiet despite Trout reaching base twice. The Halos couldn’t cash in on opportunities. Failed to put together a rally against a steady Cincinnati bullpen.
But we weren’t ready to roll over. In the seventh, Jo reignited Angel Stadium with a mammoth 452-foot blast to straightaway center, his latest reminder that his power is for real. Neto followed with an RBI single to score Travis d’Arnaud. 4-3. Then, in the final moments of the 8th Jo homered again to the left! The crowd came alive, finally sensing a comeback brewing.
But, when it looked like things were going great, Friedl hit a sac fly to center and Trevino scored. Following that up Lux doubled right and Hayes scored. What seemed like a thrilling comeback ended unfortunately. 6-4 Reds.
