Benson, Encarnacion-Strand hit back-to-back 9th-inning homers, lift Reds over Nationals 6-5

Cincinnati Reds’ Christian Encarnacion-Strand is doused by teammates after hitting a game-winning solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Cincinnati, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Cincinnati Reds’ Christian Encarnacion-Strand, left, celebrates with Elly De La Cruz, right, after hitting a game-winning solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Cincinnati, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Cincinnati Reds’ Will Benson gestures while running the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Cincinnati, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Christian Encarnacion-Strand of the Cincinnati Reds reacts as he runs the bases during the ninth inning of a baseball game played in Cincinnati on Sunday, March 31, 2024, against the Washington Nationals. He had just hit a single home run that had won the game. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Cincinnati, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Will Benson of the Cincinnati Reds, left, celebrates while racing the bases. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Cincinnati, during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds, Trey Lipscomb of the Washington Nationals hits a solo home run. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

Sunday, March 31, 2024, at a baseball game in Cincinnati. Trey Lipscomb of the Washington Nationals is hitting a solo home run, while Will Benson of the Cincinnati Reds tries to catch the ball as it flies over the wall. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Cincinnati, during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds, Trey Lipscomb, right, gives a hug to CJ Abrams, left. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Cincinnati, during the third inning of a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds, CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals salutes his teammates. (AP Image by Aaron Doster)

Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds advances to the plate for an at-bat on Sunday, March 31, 2024, during the second inning of the team’s baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Cincinnati. (AP Image by Aaron Doster)

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Cincinnati, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Will Benson of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI double. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

On Sunday, March 31, 2024, during the third inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Trey Lipscomb of the Washington Nationals fields a ground ball hit by Tyler Stephenson of the Cincinnati Reds, who was out at first. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

After being hit by Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds, right, moves to third base ahead of the tag from Trey Lipscomb of the Washington Nationals, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati on Sunday, March 31, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Doster/AP)

Cincinnati, Ohio (AP) – With two outs in the ninth inning, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Will Benson hit back-to-back home runs to give the Cincinnati Reds a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals that sealed the series.

Jonathan India doubled off Kyle Finnegan (0-1) with two outs, putting Cincinnati behind 5-3.Benson tied it up with a first-pitch splitter to straightaway center. The Reds poured out of their dugout in celebration as Encarnacion-Strand swung over a low splitter and then launched an up splitter 387 feet into the left-field seats for his first hit in 13 at-bats this season.

“I knew exactly what I intended to do in each of the three games. I was simply not executing,” stated Encarnacion-Strand. “When I think to just hit the ball hard, it shrinks everything for me.”

With the Reds down to their final out, India dueled with Finnegan, fouling off six pitches before lining a 96.6 mph fastball down the left-field line.

Benson added, “I watched Jonathan’s at-bat.” It offered me an opportunity to perfect my timing. I found what I was looking for—a pitch over the plate.

Before hitting the walk-off single, Encarnacion-Strand walked twice and hit into two double plays.

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Reds manager David Bell stated, “He’s always capable of coming up with the big hit, the big at-bat.” It’s definitely a lot of fun to be a part of when you can grind out at-bats while having your back to the wall like that.

In the ninth, Lucas Sims (1-0) retired three successive batters.

In five innings, Nick Martinez gave up three runs and six hits in his Reds debut.

The Reds lost on Saturday after winning on opening day thanks to three singles from Jake Fraley.

For the Nationals, Trey Lipscomb launched his first major league home run in the seventh inning. Lane Thomas had a two-run single in the fifth inning, while CJ Abrams hit a solo home run in the third and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Jake Irvin, the Nationals’ starter, gave up three runs and seven hits in five innings.

That is difficult. Double, three-two (count). Homer. Homer. Dave Martinez, the manager of the Nationals, stated that’s how it finished. However, I’m happy with how we played the game in the last two games. We had a great time playing. We had a rough game. It’s just bad luck. Positive things typically happen when you have the opportunity to use your closer into the ninth inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

LHP Nick Lodolo (left tibia) gave up a run and two hits in five innings of a rehab start at Triple-A Louisville. He struck out eight and walked three, throwing 49 of 77 pitches for strikes.

UP NEXT

Nationals: LHP MacKenzie Gore gets the start against RHP Marco Gonzales as Washington opens a home series against the Pirates.

Reds: LHP Andrew Abbott gets the start for Cincinnati against Phillies LHP Cristopher Sánchez in the opener of a three-game set in Philadelphia.