Myers breaks out with 2-HR, 5-RBI game to power Reds

CINCINNATI -- Wil Myers came into Saturday's game with four RBIs.

He doubled that and then some in the Reds' 13-0 rout of the Phillies at Great American Ball Park. Myers, making his first start at first base for the Reds, went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, five RBIs and two nifty defensive plays.

To say Myers' tenure as a Red did not start well is an understatement of the highest degree. After 11 games, Myers was hitting .175 with one extra-base hit and two RBIs. And he had struck out 15 times in his 40 at-bats.

Myers admits the start was frustrating, especially with a new team that signed him for one-year, $7.5 million with the plan to put him in the middle of the lineup.

"Anybody who gets off to a slow start can be a bit frustrating," he said. "It's how the game goes. It won't be the last time anybody goes through a scuffle. It's good to be able to come out of that and ride the good times while they're going."

The Reds stuck with Myers -- he's' started all 14 games -- confident he'd find himself.

"It can be tough," manager David Bell said, "It helps a lot that he had a lot of experience in the game. He's been through a lot of ups and downs. Any player who's been in the league that long has been in longer [bad] stretches than that. With a new team, he really wants to contribute. He's able to make an adjustment."

Things started looking up with the Reds' return home and Myers tweaking his swing.

"It's nice to get some results," he said. "Usually, they don't happen that fast. It was nice to see. Hopefully, I'll keep seeing results."

Myers went 2-for-4 with two RBIs Thursday and 1-for-3 with a walk Friday. That was a preview of what was to come Saturday.

Myers got ahead 1-0 in his first at-bat. He then sent a 93.7 mph fastball from Matt Strahm out to left -- a 406-foot shot that left Myers' bat at 105.8 mph.

Myers followed the homer with a defensive gem. He made a diving stop at first to take away extra bases from Kyle Schwarber.

The Phillies brought in right-hander Andrew Bellatti to face Myers in the third with two outs and runners at second and third. Bellatti started Myers with an 85-mph slider. The pitch was belt high and in the middle of the plate. Myers crushed it to left for a three-run shot.

It was Myers' 12th career multi-homer game.

"You look back, and the second home run he hit that could have been the game," Bell said. "That was a big hit."

Myers squelched a potential rally by throwing Trea Turner out at second after shortstop Jose Barrero booted a ball, then threw the ball away.

Myers followed the two home runs by dropping an RBI double into left to make it 6-0.

The Reds signed Myers hoping he could return to his earlier form. Myers hit 28 homers in 2016 and 30 in 2017.

"Wil has been embraced by our team," Bell said. "He's loving playing here and being part of this team. He wants to contribute. It's early in the year. He's doing what all good players do. He's been willing and able to make adjustments. It's paid off in the last few days. He's looking comfortable at the plate.

"I don't care how long you've been doing it ... it's a great feeling making an adjustment and then locking it in. That's what he's been able to do."