Elly De La Cruz tripled and scored before Friday evening’s game had finished its first breath, and the Cincinnati Reds sped out to an early 3-0 lead on Jake Fraley’s homer a blink later. It was the kind of tone-setting Top of the 1st that came to define Friday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a game that featured suspense, comebacks, and the kind of atmosphere you’d expect from two teams barreling towards the playoffs in Cincinnati’s 6-5 victory.
Brandon Williamson battled early, and battled often, ultimately holding the Dodgers to just 2 ER in 5.2 IP despite the Trollies moving to the basepaths like they were retirees headed to Arizona.