Reds - Giants

USA - MLB, Round 1

Throughout the first half, the Reds were in anticipation, but Ashcraft has clearly regained his form, as demonstrated in Wednesday night's 3-2 victory over the Giants at Great American Ball Park, which snapped their season-high-tying six-game losing streak.

Ashcraft pitched admirably, giving up 2 earned runs and 5 hits over six-plus innings, accompanied by 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. In his last four starts, all of them quality outings, he boasts an impressive 1.82 ERA, a marked improvement from an eight-start stretch in the first half where he struggled, posting a 12.8 ERA, before being sidelined for two weeks with a left calf contusion.

Giants starter Ross Stripling began strong, retiring the first six batters without allowing a ball to leave the infield. However, in the Reds' third inning, singles by Encarnacion and Stephenson set the stage for Benson, who crushed a 1-0 center-cut slider to left-center field for a three-run homer. All four of the Reds' hits in the game came in the third inning, and their final 17 hitters were retired in order. While the offensive output didn't match the previous day's 10-run performance in a loss, Ashcraft and the bullpen held their ground to secure the victory.

Despite reaching 91 pitches, Ashcraft returned for the seventh inning, only to give up a home run to Sabol on a 3-1 pitch. The bullpen came to the rescue, not allowing a single hit. Ian Gibaut recorded the last two outs in the seventh via strikeouts, Lucas Sims pitched a scoreless eighth, and closer Alexis Diaz struck out two in the ninth to secure his 27th save.

Cincinnati remains in the second position in the National League Central, trailing the first-place Brewers by 2 1/2 games.

Today marks the last game of the series, and we eagerly await to see if the Reds can snatch another victory from the Giants.