Santiago Espinal led off the ninth inning with a double to left field. After a TJ Friedl was retired and Matt McLain struck out, the Rockies intentionally walked Elly De La Cruz for the third time of the night, and Austin Hays struck out to end the game.

"There's so much less certainty of the grouping near the top," said Reds director of amateur scouting, Joe Katuska said.

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Preview the July 12 matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies with recent trends, how to watch, livestream info, and more.

There won't be much debate about Friday, July 11, being the best outing of Cincinnati Reds starter Chase Burns' young career.

Cincinnati Reds 25th-ranked prospect Leo Balcazar is being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, according to the Reds minor league transaction log. The 21-year-old has had a nice season with Dayton, slashing .262/.333/.413 with 27 extra-base hits and four stolen bases in 75 games.

De La Cruz became the second primary shortstop in Reds history with 100 hits before the All-Star break and joined National Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin in that feat, according to team officials. Larkin accomplished the feat in 1989 with 107 hits and again in 1993 with 109 hits.

The Rockies had multiple heroes and they needed every one of them in their 3-2 win over the Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.