CINCINNATI — During his first time through the Reds batting order on Monday night, the Cardinals' Sonny Gray recorded seven strikeouts and appeared to be in total control of the game.
Two pitches in the third inning changed that and also changed the game’s outcome.
Spencer Steer launched a two-run homer and on Gray’s next pitch Elly De La Cruz also homered to put the Reds in front. Steer added a three-run homer two innings later and the Reds cruised to the victory in the opener of the three-game series in Cincinnati.
Steer’s second homer came immediately after Cardinals manager Oli Marmol was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after a walk to Will Benson. It was Marmol’s fourth ejection of the year.
In his first game back with the Cardinals since April 23, Jordan Walker walked in his first plate appearance before being retired in each of his next three at-bats.
The loss dropped the Cardinals record to just one game over .500 at 60-59.
Here is how Monday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals loaded the bases in both the second and third inning and came away with only one run, on an RBI single by Nolan Arenado … In the second, Pedro Pages grounded into an inning-ending double play and in the two-out threat in the third, Brendan Donovan struck out to end the inning … The Cardinals had only one hit after an infield single by Paul Goldschmidt in the third and a single by Pages in the seventh, as the Reds retired 20 of the Cardinals' final 21 batters.
On the mound: Gray walked the leadoff hitter in the third before giving up the back-to-back home runs … A leadoff single set the stage for the three-run fifth, followed by the walk to Benson in front of Steer’s second homer that increased the lead to 6-1 … Gray has now allowed 17 home runs this season … He allowed five hits over five innings while striking out nine … Kyle Leahy and Shawn Armstrong combined to pitch the final three innings, allowing only one infield single and a walk.
Key stat: The Reds stole three bases in the game, increasing the total allowed by the Cardinals this season to 113, with only 19 runners caught stealing.
Worth noting: Walker was recalled from Memphis when Matt Carpenter was placed on the injured list because of a lower back strain … In his last 11 games for Memphis, Walker had posted a .326 average with three homers, three doubles and a triple … Lance Lynn threw a bullpen session before the game and the Cardinals will see how he recovers on Tuesday before deciding on the next step in his return from the injured list. He is eligible to be activated on Wednesday … Steven Matz is scheduled to make another start for Memphis on Friday night.
Looking ahead: Erick Fedde will get the start on Tuesday night against the Reds in the second game of the series.
Follow Rob Rains on X @RobRains.