Reds poundedby Rockets 17-7

0

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado, Ben Paulsen and Carlos Gonzalez each homered in a 10-run third inning Sunday to help the Colorado Rockies beat Cincinnati 17-7 on a day when the Reds traded ace Johnny Cueto.

It was a big afternoon for Paulsen, who finished with a career-high four hits that included a triple and two solo homers. Gonzalez also had two homers and drove in a career-best six runs.

Colorado had eight hits in the third, including back-to-back homers by Arenado and Paulsen, to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 12-4 lead. The last time the Rockies scored double-digits in an inning was April 27, 2012, when they had 11 runs against the New York Mets.

Michael Lorenzen (3-5) was roughed up for eight runs in 2 1-3 innings. He allowed two of Colorado’s five homers.

Staked to a big lead, Kyle Kendrick (4-11) yielded six runs in five shaky innings for his first win since June 23.

Before the game, Cincinnati finalized a deal that sent Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for three pitching prospects.

Not that Cueto could’ve anything about this rout, since he pitched eight scoreless innings the night before in his last outing with the Reds.

Jay Bruce hit a three-run shot in the third for his 198th career homer with the Reds. That tied him with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin for ninth all-time in team history.

Arenado was in the lineup after being hit by a pitch in the left hand Saturday. He said his hand was a little sore, but it didn’t show as he hit his first homer since June 28 in the third.

Three pitches later, Paulsen followed with the first of his two solo homers. Gonzalez later added a two-run shot off reliever Dylan Axelrod, who gave up three homers in 1 2-3 innings.

Paulsen needed only a double to complete the cycle, but struck out in the seventh. DJ LeMahieu ran his career-high hitting streak to 16 games with two singles.

Cueto has been the subject of trade rumors lately and it only escalated Saturday when Lorenzen played catch in left field prior to the game, with some reading that as a sign that perhaps Cueto had been dealt. But Cueto took the mound and tossed a gem.

The right-hander arrived at the park Sunday and got dressed in his Reds gear, before being informed of the deal.

As Cueto made his way out of the clubhouse, he said it was a “very emotional time for me.” He’s heading to the Royals, who have the best record in the American League, but was “very sad” to leave his teammates.

In the deal with the Royals, Cincinnati received Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed. Finnegan will report to Triple-A Louisville, along with Lamb. Reed will head to Double-A Pensacola.

TRAINER’S ROOM — Rockies: SS Troy Tulowitzki was given a rest day. … OF Corey Dickerson was out of the starting lineup as a precaution. He was reinstated Friday from the DL after missing time with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

UP NEXT — Reds: Cincinnati begins a three-game game series Monday in St. Louis, with RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-2, 5.45) taking the mound.

Rockies: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (6-4, 4.62) will throw Monday when the Rockies open a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs.

x

No posts to display