McCoy: Rallying Reds back at it, complete sweep of Angels

And in all three, the Reds came from behind to increase their comeback total to 39.

They trailed in game one, 3-0, but won, 4-3. They trailed in game two, 3-1, but won, 9-4. They trailed in game three, 1-0, but won, 7-3.

The Reds scored 16 runs on 21 hits during the doubleheader against a various assortment of mediocre pitchers.

While the Angels have lost 16 of 21 games in August, winning in Anaheim hasn’t been easy for the Reds. Before the sweep, Cincinnati was 1-7 lifetime in The Big A.

And the doubleheader sweep was their first on the road since 1999, the year of The Big Road Machine. But doubleheaders these days are few and far, far between.

After Elly De La Cruz took command of the first game with a home run, a triple and six RBIs, it was Tyler Stephenson and Matt McLain providing the dominance in game two.

Stephenson, in a month-long slump, struck out his first time and the Reds trailed were tied, 1-1, when he came to bat in the fourth.

TJ Friedl led the inning with a triple and trotted home when Stephenson lofted a home run over the left field wall.

The Reds clung to a precarious 4-3 lead in the eighth inning when McLain put the exclamation point on a three-run inning with a two-run homer.

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

McLain, who grew up a few blocks from The Big A, hit a home run in his first at bat of the series and in his last at bat of the series.

For the series, he was 4 for 12, drove in five, scored five, stole a base, drew three walks and hit two homers.

Spencer Steer also grew up a short jaunt from The Big A and enjoyed a nifty homecoming. For the three games he was on base seven times — 4 for 9, three walks, a hit by pitch and three RBIs.

Both McLain and Steer are guys not to be trusted around pitchers. Both deserve swollen heads but never get them.

Lyon Richardson made his second MLB start and pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs, four hits, walked three and struck out three.

As it did in all three games, the bullpen cleaned it up. Sam Moll, Lucas Sims, Fernando Cruz and Alexis Diaz held the Angels to no runs and two hits over five innings.

During the series, the bullpen pitched 13 innings and gave up two runs, seven hits, walked eight and struck out 12.

With the sweep, the Reds are 21-13 in interleague play, but now shift back to the National League.

They begin a four-game series in Arizona tonight against a team that has won 9 of its last 11 games.

As it did in all three games, the bullpen cleaned it up. Sam Moll, Lucas Sims, Fernando Cruz and Alexis Diaz held the Angels to no runs and two hits over five innings.

During the series, the bullpen pitched 13 innings and gave up two runs, seven hits, walked eight and struck out 12.

With the sweep, the Reds are 21-13 in interleague play, but not shift back to the National League.

They begin a four-game series in Arizona Thursday night against a team that has won 9 of its last 11 games.