Steer's Rare Power-Speed Combo
Spencer Steer Hits Two Homers, Including Inside-the-Park Shot, as Reds Top Rockies 7-2
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Key Points
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Statcast sprint metrics showed Spencer Steer was the second-fastest Reds starting player on Friday, and he ranks in the top 20% in baseball for average sprint speed; offseason work on running mechanics has helped his home-to-first times improve, contributing to his speed on the bases in 2026.
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Since 2023, Steer is one of only 14 players with at least 80 homers and 50 stolen bases, a rare power-and-speed club that includes Otani, Soto, Ramirez, Lindor, Henderson, and others.
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The eighth-inning inside-the-park homer came on a misplayed relay at the wall, with the ball bouncing to right-center; the relay throw to home got away, and Steer slid in for a two-run score; Statcast later noted the ball traveled about 404 feet and would have cleared the fence in 24 of 30 ballparks.
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Elly De La Cruz paved the Reds’ run-scoring night with a multi-hit performance, going 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three runs scored.
Spencer Steer hit two home runs — including a rare inside-the-park shot — to lead the Cincinnati Reds past the Colorado Rockies 7-2 on Friday night at Coors Field. The win gave Cincinnati momentum heading into the next game of the series, with Brady Singer delivering seven strong innings on the mound.
Steer's night stood out even by Coors Field standards. He went deep twice, drove in key runs, and showed the kind of speed that makes him one of baseball's most complete players right now.
Steer's Inside-the-Park Homer Caps Wild Eighth Inning
The highlight of the night came in the eighth inning. A misplayed relay at the wall sent the ball bouncing into right-center. Steer never slowed down. He slid home safely for a two-run score that put the game out of reach. World Baseball Network reported that Statcast clocked the ball at about 404 feet — a distance that would have cleared the fence in 24 of 30 major league ballparks.
The play was equal parts power and speed. The relay throw to home got away from the Rockies, but Steer still had to recognize the situation instantly and run hard all the way around. MLB captured Steer's reaction after the game, where he spoke about the two-homer night.
Back-to-Back Homers in the Sixth Built the Lead
Before the inside-the-park shot, Steer and Eugenio Suárez went back-to-back in the sixth inning. That pair of homers pushed the Reds' advantage and took the energy out of Coors Field. LimaOhio noted that Brady Singer allowed just four hits over his seven innings, keeping Colorado's offense in check all night.
Elly De La Cruz was excellent from the top of the lineup. He went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and scored three runs. De La Cruz set the table all night, giving the Reds' big bats plenty of chances to do damage.
Steer's Speed Is No Accident — He's Been Working on It
Steer's inside-the-park homer was not just lucky. Charlie's Chalkboard reported that Statcast sprint metrics showed Steer was the second-fastest Reds starter on Friday night. He ranks in the top 20% of all baseball players in average sprint speed. Offseason work on his running form has cut time off his home-to-first pace.
That speed pairs with real power. Since 2023, Steer is one of just 14 players in baseball with at least 80 home runs and 50 stolen bases. He shares that list with Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, José Ramírez, Francisco Lindor, and Gunnar Henderson — a group of the sport's best players.
Reds Look to Keep Rolling With Lowder on the Mound Next
Cincinnati will send Rhett Lowder to the mound for the next game of the series. The Reds are riding a strong night of pitching and hitting. Singer's seven-inning effort was efficient — he gave up just two runs while the offense scored seven. That kind of balance is what good road wins look like.
Friday's game showed what the Reds can do when Steer is locked in. He provides something rare in today's game — power, speed, and baseball instincts all in one player. Cincinnati covered his post-game comments on the inside-the-park homer, where Steer reflected on the unusual play.
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