Espinal answers the call with 2 hits, 2 steals -- and his 1st start in LF

CINCINNATI -- Had it not been for injuries, Santiago Espinal would not be a member of the Cincinnati Reds. But in recent weeks, he’s been one of the club’s more productive hitters and continues to force manager David Bell’s hand for more playing time.

Espinal had another solid day in Sunday afternoon’s 8-2 loss to the Giants at Great American Ball Park, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two stolen bases. He also made his first start this season in left field; it was only his fifth career appearance there (six total innings), all of which have come this year.

“He’s playing well,” Bell said. ”Today was an example. He hasn’t played much outfield in his career, [but] we trust him out there, and just to get his bat in the lineup. He continues to stay ready. He’s great about doing whatever it takes to help the team win."

The Reds acquired Espinal in March from the Blue Jays in exchange for Minor League right-hander Chris McElvain to help shore up their infield depth, which was decimated during Spring training when Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo suffered shoulder injuries and Noelvi Marte was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a banned substance.

Marte returned at the end of June, but Espinal’s performance earned him more at-bats. He had a season-long 11-game hitting streak from July 8-31, the second longest of his career, which is tied with Elly De La Cruz for the second longest by a Red this season.

“Honestly, I’ve been feeling pretty good,” Espinal said. “It comes from my preparation and mentality. I just try to make sure I’m ready for whatever opportunity [Bell] is going to give me and go out there and compete.”

Last Tuesday, Espinal finished a triple shy of the cycle and set career highs with four hits and three extra-base hits, including a homer and a pair of doubles, in the 6-3 win over the Cubs.

De La Cruz and Jonathan India are the only Reds this season with four hits in a game. Espinal recorded an RBI in five straight games from July 8-13.

“I want to fight for every at-bat and compete for every at-bat,” Espinal said. “That’s the only thing that I can control, and that’s the only thing I’ve been doing. I haven’t been doing anything differently. My routine is the same.”

Espinal has been versatile as well, also playing second, third, and short this season. As is usually the case in baseball when a guy moves to an unfamiliar position, the ball found him a couple times in left field, but without issue.

“This time, [it] was more innings, and I got more balls put in play,” Espinal said, smiling. “Just like I told [Bell] earlier in the season, wherever he needs me, I’ll play whatever position. Doesn’t matter. I just want to win.”

The Reds, who homered four times in Saturday’s win, went deep on consecutive pitches off Giants left-hander Robbie Ray (2-1) in the second.

Ray retired the first five batters until Jeimer Candelario and Espinal hit back-to-back homers to put the Reds ahead, 2-0.

It was Candelario’s 18th home run this season and Espinal’s eighth. It was also the fourth time the Reds hit back-to-back homers this season, the first since July 13 when Candelario and Elly De La Cruz did it against Miami.

Carson Spiers (4-3) made his second start since coming off the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement.

Spiers only allowed five hits on Sunday, but two were home runs accounting for all three earned runs.

“He continues to show what he can do,” Bell said. “He belongs here. He’s going to continue to get better. He’s going to help us win games. Today, two sinkers went for homers.”

The Giants tied the score at 2 in the fourth on a two-run home run by Matt Chapman, his 17th.

LaMonte Wade Jr. put the Giants ahead 3-2 with a solo homer leading off the sixth.

San Francisco blew the game open with a five-run eighth inning, sparked by Tyler Fitzgerald’s two-run homer. The Giants took two of three in the series which began with Blake Snell’s no-hitter on Friday.

“I’m hungry, and I want to win,” Spiers said. “I know this team wants to win. Everybody in that clubhouse would say the same thing.”