Toronto’s Nathan Lukes provided the decisive blow on Friday night, singling in the seventh inning to give the Blue Jays a 6-5 lead over the Cincinnati Reds. The rally capped a dramatic comeback that saw Toronto overturn a 5-2 deficit.
Key moments
After falling behind early, the Blue Jays struck first with an RBI double from Alejandro Kirk and another from Kazuma Okamoto off Reds starter Nick Lodolo in the first inning. Cincinnati answered in the second when Eugenio Suárez homered, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
The Reds seized momentum in the third, loading the scoreboard with a four‑run burst. Elly De La Cruz, who started as designated hitter, doubled for two runs, stole third base, and later scored on Sal Stewart’s single. Hector Rodríguez added a run with a fielder’s choice, and the Reds led 5-2.
Toronto’s pitcher José Soriano struggled, surrendering five runs on eight hits before being pulled. The Blue Jays’ offense stayed alive, and the game turned in the seventh. After two consecutive walks from Luis Mey, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in a run with a single, though the ball was oddly redirected by a fragment of his broken bat.
Following a fielding error by Oswaldo Cabrera that allowed George Springer to reach base, reliever Pierce Johnson entered the game. Okamoto responded with a tying double to center field, and Lukes followed with the go‑ahead RBI single that put Toronto ahead 6-4.
Notable performances
Okamoto finished the night with two hits and three RBIs, playing a pivotal role in the comeback. Lukes, who had been quiet earlier, emerged as the hero with his clutch single.
For the Reds, Elly De La Cruz celebrated a milestone, becoming only the fourth player in franchise history to record at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season. He also hit his 30th homer in the previous game against Atlanta.
Veteran reliever Mason Flaherty (7-1) secured the win, recording the final two outs. Louis Varland closed the ninth with a 1‑2‑3 inning, earning his 35th save in 37 opportunities.
Looking ahead
Toronto’s right‑hander Trey Yesavage (5-5, 3.67 ERA) is slated to start Saturday’s series finale against Cincinnati’s Rhett Lowder (6-12, 6.01 ERA). Both clubs will look to build on the momentum from this tightly contested matchup.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
