Major League Baseball

Reds' walk-off win over Rockies snaps 9-game losing streak

Published May. 26, 2015 10:04 p.m. ET

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The stream of players reached Skip Schumaker as he crossed second base on his game-ending double. Pitcher Johnny Cueto splashed water from a bottle over the scrum, christening the celebration.

The Reds acted like they had won something important. They had finally won, and that alone was reason enough for a party.

Schumaker's pinch-hit double ended the Reds' nine-game losing streak — their longest in 17 years — with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

"We need to smile around here," Schumaker said. "Winning never gets old."

The Reds pulled out of their longest slump since they dropped 11 straight under manager Jack McKeon in 1998. They ended the second-longest losing streak in the majors this season, trailing Colorado's 11-game slide from April 28 to May 13.

"I hope that lifts the weight off of our shoulders and we can get back to having fun," manager Bryan Price said.

Brooks Brown (0-2) walked Marlon Byrd opening the ninth. Kristopher Negron sacrificed, and Schumaker hit an opposite-field liner that landed just inside the left-field foul line. It was only his second RBI in 19 pinch-hit appearances.

"I just tried to hit the ball," Schumaker said. "I'm not good enough to try to direct it."

As soon as he crossed second base, his teammates were there to slap his back, rub his head and sprinkle him with water.

"The good thing was we didn't get used to losing," starter Michael Lorenzen said. "Now we have to get used to winning."

Aroldis Chapman (3-3), who had given up runs in each of his last two appearances, escaped a two-on threat in the ninth by striking out Nolan Arenado.

Colorado switched starters before the game, deciding to give left-hander Jorge De La Rosa a couple of extra days to let a cut on his pitching hand heal. Left-hander Chris Rusin, who made 20 starts for the Cubs from 2012-13, was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to fill in.

Rusin gave up Billy Hamilton's RBI single and four hits overall during seven innings.

Lorenzen gave up two hits in seven innings, including Nick Hundley's fifth homer, in his return to the rotation. The right-hander started three games and was moved to the bullpen for two appearances before making another start on Tuesday.

Colorado's DJ LeMahieu singled off Chapman in the ninth, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Cincinnati's Todd Frazier went 0 for 3, ending his seven-game streak.

BARK AWAY

Several hundred dogs were in the stands for the Reds' second Bark in the Park pet promotion.

ANOTHER RAINY NIGHT

Rain fell intermittently throughout the game, but there were no delays. The Reds have had six rain delays and one rainout at Great American Ball Park this season. The Rockies have had four games rained out, matching the most in club history.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez was back in right field after sitting out Monday's game with a stomach illness. He went 0 for 3 with a walk.

Reds: An MRI found inflammation in Cueto's pitching elbow but no significant injury. He will miss at least one more start. 2B Brandon Phillips was out of the lineup after aggravating a sore toe on his left foot.

UP NEXT

Rockies: Kyle Kendrick (1-6) tries for his first win since he beat the Brewers on opening day. In his last eight starts, he's 0-6 with a 6.99 ERA.

Reds: Mike Leake tries to pull out of his slump. He's 0-2 in his last two starts, allowing 14 runs and four homers in nine innings.

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