CINCINNATI — Christian Encarnacion-Strand homered within the ninth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 on Friday evening within the opener of an interleague collection between playoff contenders.

Encarnacion-Strand drove a 2-2 pitch from Jordan Hicks (2-8) deep to left for his fourth homer. It was Cincinnati’s fourth hit of the sport.

Fighting for positioning within the NL playoff standings, the Reds (64-59) gained for the third time in 4 video games.

Toronto wasted a terrific efficiency by José Berríos, who struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed one hit - Matt McLain’s one-out single within the sixth - and walked 4.

The Blue Jays (67-56), who're within the combine for an AL wild card, completed with three hits of their second straight loss.

Cincinnati obtained an enormous raise from Brett Kennedy, who pitched 5 efficient innings in his first main league begin since July 4. The right-hander struck out two and walked one.

PHOTOS: Encarnacion-Strand homers in ninth as Cincinnati Reds beat Toronto Blue Jays 1-0

After Kennedy departed, Buck Farmer, Ian Gibaut, Lucas Sims and Alexis Díaz (5-4) every pitched a hitless inning. Díaz labored a 1-2-3 ninth, placing out two.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: OF Kevin Kiermaier (elbow laceration) and RHP Trevor Richards (neck Inflammation) had been reinstated from the injured checklist. OF Nathan Lukes and RHP Jay Jackson had been despatched to Triple-A Buffalo.

Reds: RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (Tommy John surgical procedure) has been pulled from his rehab project at Triple-A Louisville.

UP NEXT

Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson (4-2, 4.33 ERA) is the scheduled starter towards Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt (11-6, 3.95 ERA) on Saturday evening.

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