Reds celebrate Bell's extension with win: 'We enjoy playing for him'

LOS ANGELES -- Many Reds players had already heard the news before Friday's game vs. the Dodgers that their manager, David Bell, received a three-year contract extension. But as they gathered postgame following a hard-fought 6-5 victory, Jonathan India announced it anyway to the entire clubhouse.

"It was a pretty cool moment," left fielder Spencer Steer said. "I don’t think I’ve heard the clubhouse louder after a win than when it was announced that he got the extension. I think it’s just a testament to how great of a leader he is and how much we enjoy playing for him.”

Closer Alexis Díaz was one of the several players to offer Bell personal congratulations.

“I’m just so excited. He’s been a great manager for us," Díaz said via translator Jorge Merlos. "Look at the job he’s been able to do this year with this team. Everything he has been able to do with this team has been so awesome to see."

Many of the reasons that Bell got the extension were on display throughout Friday's game.

A strong response
First, Cincinnati once again showed resilience. The club bounced back from a three-game series loss to the National League Central-leading Brewers -- including being shut out in the finale while striking out 18 times.

Milwaukee's loss to Atlanta on Friday has narrowed the gap to a half-game.

"I feel like we're pretty good at just like, next up, next game. We're a really good team and that's what good teams do," said starting pitcher Brandon Williamson, who allowed two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings for the victory.

Offense comes through
The young Reds lineup took control of the game early to build a 3-0 lead in the first. Elly De La Cruz led off with a hit to the right-field corner and blazed around the bases for a triple before scoring on TJ Friedl's groundout. Two batters later came Jake Fraley's two-run homer off the right-field foul pole.

In the seventh inning with the lead trimmed to 3-2, there were crucial add-on runs. Steer hit a one-out solo homer to left field -- his first since July 2 and 15th overall. Dodgers reliever Yency Almonte would load the bases, then hit Friedl with a pitch and walked Matt McLain on four pitches for two runs and a 6-2 game.

“It’s an important stretch for us," Steer said. "Every game is obviously important when you’re trying to win a division. It’s a really good team and a really good test for us, I think. It’s good also for our offense to see some runs and touch home plate.”

Big defensive plays
Williamson was effective but had baserunners on in each of his innings, including four walks. He was able to induce three double plays to minimize damage.

In the fourth inning, after Miguel Rojas squeaked an RBI single into right field, Fraley charged toward the infield before throwing to India at second base to create a rundown. As Chris Taylor tried to break for home, India threw the ball to third base before Taylor was tagged out at the plate.

"Honestly, it made the game for me," Williamson said of the defensive plays. "Not only did it save maybe pitches for me, it saved a couple of runs, possibly. Obviously, the game came down to one run, so it's the difference."

A four-out save for Díaz
Los Angeles scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh against Lucas Sims and Ian Gibaut before Alex Young ended the rally. Young picked up two outs in the eighth and left with a runner on first base. That's when Bell decided to summon his closer, Díaz, from the bullpen for a four-out save against the toughest portion of the Dodgers’ lineup.

"It’s really tough to do," Bell said. "You don’t want to have to do it. He was rested. He was the guy to get it done."

Díaz threw one fastball and six sliders before getting first batter Mookie Betts to ground out to third base to end the eighth. In the ninth, Díaz retired the side of Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and J.D. Martinez in order for his MLB-best 31st save.

“It was a very important win today," Díaz said. "For myself, I just had to get ready earlier than I normally do, just because you never know when you’re going to get in. But we were able to execute all of our pitches and dominate the strike zone as well and be able to throw it in the strike zone and get that victory.”