Victor Vodnik beat his chest, mouthed some choice words, and received a celebratory hug from catcher Hunter Goodman.
Why not? Vodnik had just closed out the Rockies’ grittiest victory of the season.
After giving up a leadoff double, Vodnik struck out TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, intentionally walked the dangerous Elly De La Cruz, and then fanned cleanup hitter Austin Hayes to close out a 3-2 win over the Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.
Colorado fanned 16 times, which is usually a death knell. But its pitchers struck out the Red 13 times, including whiffing Hays four times — each time to end an inning.