Rally Reds are back! CES's 3rd walk-off secures 'W'

CINCINNATI -- Christian Encarnacion-Strand knows how to send them home happy.

Right after a two-run game-tying home run by Will Benson with two outs in the ninth inning, the power-hitting first baseman capped a thrilling 6-5 Reds victory and series win over the Nationals on Sunday at Great American Ball Park with a walk-off homer to left field.

In just 66 big league games, Encarnacion-Strand has a walk-off hit in three of them -- 4.5 percent of his career games -- including two homers.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that 4.5 percent is the highest rate of any player who debuted in the Expansion Era (since 1961) and has played at least 50 games.

“When I was young, I tended to perform good when there is pressure," Encarnacion-Strand said. "Maybe that’s just what I needed to get going this year.”

No one knew more than Encarnacion-Strand that he wasn't hitting well to begin the season. He came into the at-bat 0-for-12 -- including 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and two ground-ball double plays on Sunday.

In the bottom of the ninth against Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan, Encarnacion-Strand wanted to keep it simple.

“Honestly, I was trying to not do what I did the last three games," he said. "I was just trying to hit it hard. If I was going to get it, I was just hoping it came off the bat hot.”

It was hit hard, most certainly. The exit velocity was 113.3 mph.

Neither Encarnacion-Strand nor Benson would have had their big moment without Jonathan India.

In a 3-1 count with two outs against Finnegan, India fouled off five straight pitches to stay alive.

“He’s one of the best closers in the game. He throws hard," India said. "I was trying to get my pitch. He kept throwing high and away, high and in and wasn’t giving me anything to hit. Even the pitch I hit was a tough pitch to hit. I just battled. I wanted it for my team.”

Finally, on the 10th pitch of the at-bat, India hit a double down the left field line to extend the inning.

“You can’t get better than that," Encarnacion-Strand said. "If he doesn’t get on base, we don’t win the game.”

India noted that he was tired from the long duel and perhaps, Benson thought, so was Finnegan.

"I had an opportunity to watch [India] put together a great at-bat and just get my timing down. I’m grateful," Benson said. "I was just sitting there thinking in my mind, ‘India, win so I can get one more [chance].’ Obviously it worked out. He had a great at-bat, it was amazing.”

On a first-pitch splitter from Finnegan, Benson launched a drive over the center field fence to tie the game.

Benson, who was 3-for-5 in the game and is now 5-for-12 (.417) through three games, was in a deeper funk in 2023 than Encarnacion-Strand was in 2024 to open his second big league season. Benson went 1-for-25 (.040) with 14 strikeouts over his first 10 games with the Reds.

Encarnacion-Strand was trying to avoid a similar extended slump.

“I had an idea of what I wanted to do all three games. I just wasn’t executing. I was able to execute on that last swing," Encarnacion-Strand said.

Encarnacion-Strand, who debuted for Cincinnati last season on July 17, became the club's regular first baseman this season after it moved on from iconic mainstay Joey Votto.

Snapping an 0-fer in such a big moment might be all Encarnacion-Strand needed to get hot.

“It’s definitely huge for him," India said. "I bet you now, he’s going to go off. He’s one of the best power hitters, I think, in the game. He’s going to show himself this year. I was telling him, ‘Hey man, stop beating yourself up. There’s no point. It’s so early. There’s much baseball to be played and you’re so good. You just have to trust yourself.’”

The series came very close to being a real downer for the Reds. After they won on Thursday’s Opening Day, Saturday's 7-6 loss came after closer Alexis Díaz allowed three runs in the ninth inning.

In three at-bats, the Reds went from appearing to drop their first 2024 series to having two wins in hand before heading to Philadelphia for their first road trip.

“It’s amazing how much better it feels to win the game," manager David Bell said. "It all matters and it can carry over. It’s just the best playing games like that."