The Reds erased an early two-run deficit and pulled away late to defeat the Rockies 6-4 at Great American Ball Park, with home runs providing the foundation for Cincinnati's comeback victory.
Nathaniel Lowe anchored the Reds' offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run, one RBI and a walk. The first baseman's solo shot in the second inning cut Colorado's lead to 2-1, beginning Cincinnati's rally. TJ Friedl delivered the decisive blow in the fifth inning with a two-run homer that gave the Reds a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
Freeman's first-inning home run staked Colorado to an early 2-0 advantage, scoring Doyle ahead of his 357-foot blast to right field. But Cincinnati answered quickly with Lowe's solo shot in the second, then seized control when Friedl's two-run homer to right center scored Steer. The Reds extended their lead in the sixth when Steer singled home Lowe, then added insurance runs in the eighth on Myers' RBI groundout and Steer's run-scoring double.
Andrew Abbott earned the victory for Cincinnati, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 6 innings with 5 strikeouts. Michael Lorenzen took the loss for Colorado, surrendering 4 runs on 4 hits in 5.1 innings with his ERA at 6.09. The Rockies mounted a late rally in the ninth on Moniak's RBI single and McCarthy's sacrifice fly, but fell short of the comeback.
Cincinnati improved to 19-11 and maintained first place in their division despite snapping a one-game losing streak. Colorado fell to 14-17 after their brief winning streak ended at one game.