Christian Encarnacion-Strand keeps it simple when situations are tough

Cincinnati Reds rookie infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand shook his head and laughed. He said, “What do you mean, how’d I do it?”

Encarnacion-Strand went from a fourth-round pick who got traded by the team that drafted him to a power hitter who’s a key piece in the Reds’ present and future. He hit at an elite level in every level of the minor leagues and became the second-youngest first baseman in MLB.

On Friday, in a 1-0 Reds win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Encarnacion-Strand faced a two-strike count against one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball and blasted a walk-off home run into the second deck in left field.

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