Mystical, magical! Benson's walk-off completes Reds' come-from-behind win

CINCINNATI -- This was expected to be one of the toughest months of the Reds schedule, featuring a gauntlet of opponents -- almost all with better records. But not only are they surviving the stretch, they're thriving in it.

The latest example came with Sunday's 3-2 walk-off win over the Padres. The Reds never led in the game until scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Will Benson's bases-loaded single drove in the go-ahead run that gave Cincinnati the series win in the rubber match.

“It’s a testament to who we are," said Benson, who was 3-for-4 with a run scored and the game-winning RBI. "We go out [ready to play] regardless of who is on the other side. We’re ready to go, ready to win, ready to do what it takes, ready to take some punches. It was another great opponent that we were able to get some wins on.”

Not only have the Reds (44-40) won six of their last eight games, they have a 14-7 record since June 6 -- including three walk-off wins. In that stretch, they've won six of their last seven series, taking sets against the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Tigers, Twins, Yankees and Padres. The only series loss was dropping two of three at St. Louis last weekend.

On June 5, the Reds were 30-33 and a season-high 9 1/2 games out of first place in the National League Central. Although still in fourth place, they are now just five games behind the first-place Cubs and 2 1/2 games out in the NL Wild Card race.

“I think we’re just playing our brand of baseball," said left fielder Gavin Lux, who scored the game-clinching run off Benson’s single. "This is kind of what we envisioned at Spring Training. We’re going to be aggressive on the bases and we’ll play harder than everybody. And we’re going to score runs and pitch. I think we’ve done a really good job this month of blending everything together.

"Earlier in the year, we’d score 20 runs and the next day we’d score zero. Or the pitching would be lights out but we wouldn’t score. It feels like we’re just coming together as a unit.”

Under manager Terry Francona, the Reds have learned to have short memories after both losses and even after wins. Sometimes, even after rough innings or tough at-bats.

“I always think we’re going to find a way to win," Francona said.

A few poor defensive plays bit the Reds, especially when San Diego took a one-run lead in the seventh. Against Lyon Richardson, Xander Bogaerts hit a grounder to third base through Christian Encarnacion-Strand's glove. It was ruled a double that put runners on second and third base. Following an intentional walk to Gavin Sheets, Fernando Tatis Jr. scored on Jose Iglesias' high chopper that went down as a fielder's choice after the Reds were unable to convert a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.

Despite trailing, Francona used his best two relievers to give Tony Santillan and closer Emilio Pagán work. Santillan replaced Richardson in the seventh and kept the Padres from adding on. Pagán allowed a one-out walk but pitched a scoreless ninth to become the eventual pitcher of record.

That kept the Reds in range in the ninth against Padres closer Robert Suarez. Elly De La Cruz worked a 10-pitch at-bat in which he got a ball three on a very close seventh pitch. Then De La Cruz reached when third baseman Tyler Wade muffed the in-between hop. Originally ruled an error, it was changed to a single.

“Oh my God. That was an incredible at-bat. I think that’s a testament to who Elly is," Benson said.

With one out, Lux drew a four-pitch walk and Spencer Steer tied the game with a line-drive single into center field that scored De La Cruz. Jose Trevino hit a single to right field that loaded the bases for Benson.

“Once we had momentum and that ball started rolling, you just kind of start looking for your opportunity to get a chance and we did it," Benson said.

On a 2-1 changeup, Benson lined his single towards the right field corner to end the game.

"I was a little bit upset I didn’t take a pass at that first changeup because that could have been the best pitch I was going to see that whole at-bat," Benson said. "But I just shook it off, maintained my aggression. I took some good fastballs that he threw and then he threw another changeup and I was able to capitalize on that one.”

Once again, having a short memory paid off.

"We’re just a grindy, gritty group," Lux said. "The last inning showed why we can be dangerous.”