Suarez achieves rare Reds feat with latest HR
CINCINNATI -- Eugenio Suarez has been the source of big power for the Reds all season, but the third baseman has gone on a tear this week with home runs in four consecutive games.
The fourth -- a two-run shot against Phillies rookie Ranger Suarez (no relation) to left-center field in the first inning -- helped the Reds shrink a three-run deficit in Thursday night's 9-4 loss at Great American Ball Park.
Suarez became the first Reds third baseman since Chris Stynes from July 5-8, 2000, to hit a homer in four straight games. Tony Fernandez homered in four consecutive games in 1994, but he was a pinch-hitter in one game and the third baseman in the other three.
The club record for consecutive games with a home run is five -- accomplished seven times, with Jay Bruce the most recent to do it from July 23-27, 2016.
Besides Bruce, the other Reds to hit homers in five straight games are Devin Mesoraco, Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Johnny Bench, George Crowe and Ted Kluszewski.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Suarez's long ball marked the first time in Reds history that three players have hit homers in four straight team games in the same season. Joey Votto did it from April 24-27 and Scooter Gennett equaled the feat May 7-11.
The National League leader with 78 RBIs, Suarez paces the Reds with 23 homers this season. A first-time NL All-Star earlier this month, he is batting .306/.391/.583.