Frankie Montas had a victorious comeback at Yankee Stadium as the Cincinnati Reds achieved a three-game sweep against the struggling New York team with an 8-4 win on Thursday. During the game, Nick Martini, Jonathan India, and Spencer Steer hit home runs to secure the Reds’ victory.
“I can do wonders on the field when I’m in good shape,” Montas confidently stated.
In the fifth inning, Steer managed to secure an impressive 5-0 lead after hitting a remarkable three-run homer to right field off Marcus Stroman (7-4). Later on, in the seventh inning, Jake Fraley came through with a bases-loaded triple, extending the lead to 8-2 against Jake Cousins. This dominant performance by Cincinnati (42-45) made them the first NL team to complete a regular-season interleague series sweep in the Bronx.
After winning 49 of their first 70 games, the New York baseball team (54-35) has struggled as of late, losing 13 of their last 17 and 14 of their last 19.
According to Yankees captain Aaron Judge, it’s common for past World Series champions to experience a rough patch at some point. He believes that it’s the team’s response to this challenge that truly defines them.
Montas snapped a four-start winless streak by pitching a shutout into the fifth inning. He allowed four hits, three walks, and two runs in five-plus innings to secure a 4-6 record.
In just 15 games into his major league career, Ben Rice from New York was moved into the leadoff spot where he made a remarkable feat by hitting his first big league homer. The ball flew an impressive 407 feet into the Judge’s Chambers located in the right-field seats. The VanDerVolgen family from the Albany area, consisting of six members, were lucky enough to catch the ball after being upgraded from the second deck just before the game. In exchange for the home run ball, Rice autographed some balls for them in the clubhouse.
Rice had daydreamed about the experience of hitting a home run.
He remarked that it’s much more exciting to take action than to merely fantasize about it.
In the fifth inning, Austin Wells kicked off the scoring with a powerful homer. Later in the game, Juan Soto crushed a two-run drive against Nick Martinez in the seventh, earning his 21st homer of the season.
At the age of 31, Montas, a right-handed pitcher, had a stint with the Yankees that didn’t go as planned. The team acquired him from Oakland during the 2022 trade deadline, but unfortunately, he struggled with a 6.35 ERA over eight starts due to right shoulder inflammation. After the season ended, he underwent surgery to repair the labrum on February 15th of the following year. Although he only made one appearance during the season’s final weekend, Montas is now ready to make a comeback.
After Montas became a free agent, he landed a one-year contract with the Reds that guaranteed him $16 million. As a result, he was named their opening-day starter. Throughout his impressive run, Luke Maile, the team’s backup catcher, stood behind the plate for the eighth consecutive game.
In five innings, Stroman allowed five runs and five hits.
In the first inning, Soto thought he had a home run, but Benson had other plans. With a remarkable leap and his trusty glove, Benson snagged the ball at the top of the center-field wall, robbing Soto of his homer and leaving him stunned.
In the second inning, Martini smashed a cutter that hit the top of the wall in right-center before landing in the Yankees bullpen, putting the Reds ahead. This marked his fifth home run of the season. India, who had initially struggled in the series, hitting 0 for 7, made a comeback with three hits and a home run in the third. He hit a sinker right over the center of the plate, and the ball sailed into the left-field seats. Steer also contributed with a three-run shot in the fifth inning.
In the sixth inning, Anthony Volpe hit a grounder, and Alex Verdugo attempted to score, but shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s impressive sidearm throw prevented him from doing so, ultimately keeping the Yankees at a 5-2 score.
Prior to the game, the Yankees commemorated the 85th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s iconic farewell speech by presenting a video clip that showcased present-day players reciting his words. Moreover, five individuals who are affected by Lou Gehrig’s disease, including Major League Baseball’s Sarah Langs, were present on the field near the home plate.
Austin Wynns, the catcher for the Reds, has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville after clearing waivers.
Updates on Injuries
As a part of the regular updates, let’s take a look at the trainer’s room and the latest on the injured players. No changes have been reported so far, but we will keep you informed as new information becomes available. It is important to keep track of the injuries of each team member as it can greatly affect their performance on the field. We hope for a speedy recovery for all those who are currently dealing with injuries.
The New York Yankees have announced that infielder Jon Berti, who has been out of action due to a strained left calf, will be joining the team on their upcoming trip. He will stay at the minor league facility in Tampa, Florida and there is a possibility that he will be ready for a rehab assignment around the time of the All-Star break. Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Scott Effross, who underwent Tommy John surgery, showcased an impressive performance in his fifth rehab outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wikes-Barre on Wednesday night. He pitched a hitless inning and recorded a walk and a strikeout.
What’s Coming Up Next?
On Friday’s homestand opener, the Reds will have RHP Carson Spiers (2-1, 3.11 ERA) on the mound, facing off against Detroit’s RHP Reese Olson (2-8, 3.32).
On Friday night’s series opener, the Yankees will be starting LHP Nestor Cortes, who currently holds a record of 4-7 and an ERA of 3.51. He will be facing off against Boston’s RHP Tanner Houck, who has a record of 7-6 and an impressive ERA of 2.67.
