JT Realmuto homers twice, Marlins beat slumping Reds 5-4

CINCINNATI (AP) — J.T. Realmuto hit a pair of two-run homers and a double on Saturday night, powering the Miami Marlins to their second straight victory, 5-4 over the slumping Cincinnati Reds.

Miami won for only the third time in eight games, getting its first back-to-back wins since the All-Star break.

Realmuto connected in the second and sixth innings off Robert Stephenson (0-3), who made his first start of the season after 13 relief appearances. It was the catcher’s second career multi-homer game — he also had one in 2015.

Nick Wittgren (3-1) relieved starter Chris O’Grady in the fifth and got the win. Scooter Gennett singled home a run in the eighth off Junichi Tazawa, cutting it to 5-4. A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances.

The Reds are having a horrific home stand, going 1-8 while getting out-homered 22-7. The 22 homers are the most allowed by a Reds club during a home stand of 10 games or fewer. Also, the Reds have matched another club record by allowing 69 runs during the home stand, which concludes Sunday.

.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}

Miami Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas throws to first on a single by Cincinnati Reds’ Billy Hamilton during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/07/web1_117668368-e9efe2bc0ec84efb9dc49c2d5c49402e.jpgMiami Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas throws to first on a single by Cincinnati Reds’ Billy Hamilton during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Chris O’Grady, left, is pulled by manager Don Mattingly, right, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/07/web1_117668368-9c305b5d8dd84424a8655e9ce0b493aa.jpgMiami Marlins starting pitcher Chris O’Grady, left, is pulled by manager Don Mattingly, right, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

Cincinnati Reds’ Zack Cozart slides into third base with a triple against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/07/web1_117668368-bc4bfb92709d4237b3fcde09592aed33.jpgCincinnati Reds’ Zack Cozart slides into third base with a triple against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)