11-game win streak is Reds' longest since '57

CINCINNATI -- Reds rookie starting pitcher Andrew Abbott's scoreless streak to start his big league career ended one batter into Wednesday's game vs. the Rockies with a home run. Then two others hit homers to extend the deficit.

Giving up runs was new for Abbott, but Cincinnati coming back? That seems to be just another day that ends in "Y" for this club. The Reds scored five unanswered runs and rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Rockies at Great American Ball Park to extend their winning streak to 11 games.

"When you've got nine guys and whoever on the mound going through the right processes over and over again, you form those habits," said catcher Luke Maile, who hit a two-run single during a three-run bottom of the fifth inning. "We've got a bunch of really good habits going on right now. If you want to call that momentum, great. You still have to earn it."

It was Jake Fraley's tiebreaking two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off Daniel Bard that sealed the game. Cincinnati has earned 26 come-from-behind victories in 2023, the most in the Major Leagues.

The Reds are five games over .500 at 40-35 and kept their hold on first place in the National League Central race.

"It's a game of opportunities as everybody knows. During this stretch, we've cashed in on pretty much all of ours that we've had," said Abbott, who struck out 10 batters over six innings while allowing three earned runs and four hits for a no-decision.

How have the Reds been able to keep their momentum? A relentless offense has been a big reason with 68 runs over the last 11 games, an average of 6.18 runs per game.

Although the rotation has struggled throughout the season, the bullpen has routinely picked up the starters. The pitching staff has a 3.65 ERA during the streak.

Put it all together and Cincinnati has its longest win streak since the 1957 club won 12 in a row.

"It’s impressive," manager David Bell said. "It kind of is a reminder that this kind of streak isn’t easy. Every single day it’s a battle. It’s a huge challenge. It takes everything you have."

An All-Star outfielder for the '57 team was Gus Bell, David’s grandfather.

"I’ve heard so much about those teams," Bell said. "So to even be mentioned and compared in a small way to teams like that is pretty neat."

Entering with a 17 2/3-inning scoreless streak, Abbott was the first Major League pitcher since the mound moved to its current distance in 1893 to begin his career with three consecutive scoreless starts of at least five innings.

That streak ended two pitches into the game when Brenton Doyle hit an 0-1 curveball to right field for a leadoff home run.

"I was trying to picture what it would be like when he finally did [allow a run] and if I was going to have a message for him. I took one look at his face and he just asked for a new ball. He was fine," Maile said.

But Elehuris Montero also hit an 0-1 curveball for a one-out homer to left field in the second inning. Randal Grichuk's one-out homer in the fourth inning gave Colorado a 3-0 lead.

"It's going to happen, and I think the biggest thing for me is how do I respond when it does happen?" Abbott said.

After Grichuk, Abbott retired his final eight batters. Overall, he faced three batters over the minimum -- all from the homers.

With the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth inning, Maile's single through the middle scored two runs. TJ Friedl's RBI single to center field provided the tying run. In the bottom of the eighth, Elly De La Cruz blooped a double to left field to set it up for Fraley to deliver for 23,637 fans.

“It’s huge for us. This series was a lot of fun seeing all the fans out there and how into it they were. Seeing them show up, we feed off of that," Fraley said.

During the streak, the Reds have won or swept series from the Cardinals, Royals, Astros and Rockies. From that group, only the Astros are contending. The next series will be the biggest test yet. They face the Braves, who own the NL's best record, on Friday.

According to Fraley, there is no difference in approach based on the opponent, and no pressure felt in the clubhouse to keep the streak alive.

"That’s something that for us has been very simple," he said. "Who are we facing next? And what do we need to do to put ourselves in the best position to win? We’ve done a phenomenal job of that. We’re reaping the rewards.”