Moustakas leads Reds to playoff spot

*Photo from NBC Sports*

   The Cincinnati Reds are rolling. Mike Moustakas homered twice, the pitching held strong, and the Reds topped the Minnesota Twins by a 7-2 score to clinch a playoff spot. The Reds started the season very sluggishly, but have gotten it together in September, and now have clinched a return to the playoffs as a result. The way the Reds have been playing, they won't be an easy out, either.

   The Twins started the scoring in the 3rd inning, when Ehire Adrianza hit an RBI double to make it 1-0 Twins. In the 4th, Moustakas hit a two run homer to center field to put the Reds ahead 2-1. In the 5th, Freddy Galvis hit a solo homer and Nick Castellanos hit an RBI single to make it 4-1 Reds. In the 6th, the Twins got a little closer on an RBI single from Marwin Gonzalez, making it a 4-2 game. In the 9th inning, Moustakas homered, Galvis hit an RBI single, and Shogo Akiyama hit an RBI single, making it 7-2 Reds.

   The Reds clinched their first playoff appearance since 2013, and Joey Votto, the only remaining member of that team, couldn't be happier. Votto said that ''We're going to be as much of a threat as anyone, I like this team much more than I liked those teams, and I really liked those teams." Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen said that ''We feel like we've built the momentum at the right time."

   Lorenzen got the win for the Reds, pitching 3 1/3 innings in relief, raising his record to 3-1 this season. Lorenzen allowed one run on 3 hits and one walk, striking out 4 hitters. Tyler Mahle got the start for the Reds, lasting 2 1/3 innings, Mahle allowed one run on 3 hits and two walks, striking out 4 hitters. Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims, Raisel Iglesias, and Wade Miley also pitched for the Reds.

   Jose Berrios took the loss for the Twins, falling to 5-4 this season. Berrios threw 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and two walks, striking out 7 hitters. Berrios's ERA rose to 4.00 on the season as a result. Caleb Thielbar, Trevor May, Edwar Colina, and Jorge Alcala also pitched for the Twins. 

   The series continues on Saturday, where Luis Castillo starts for the Reds. The Twins will look to lock down the AL Central as Michael Pineda starts.