Reds separating from MLB clubs in close games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Dane Myers' RBI single during the top of the ninth inning capped a two-run rally Saturday as the Cincinnati Reds continued to separate themselves in close outcomes.Backed by 4.1 innings of shutout relief pitching and timely hitting, the Reds edged the Minnesota Twins, 5-4, at Target Field, scoring single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.Improving to 13-8, the Reds secured their 10th straight win in MLB games decided by three or fewer runs, matching the 1966 Cleveland Indians and 1946 Boston Red Sox.They improved to 7-0 in one-run outcomes.Can the Reds maintain their edge?Reds maintain edge on MLB opponentsSal Stewart, who collected rookie marks for amassing seven home runs, 17 RBI, and three stolen bases through his opening 18 appearances, emerged as an offensive leader.

He became the fifth prospect to compile at least 13 bases on balls and 17 RBI in his opening 18 games, joining Mell Ott (1929), Johnny Groth (1955), Al Kaline (1955) and Willie McCovey (1960).The Reds' bullpen remains the key. After pitching 3.2 scoreless innings during Friday's 2-1 win, the relief corps lowered its league-best earned-run average to 2.31.To catch the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers, who captured their opening 12 games by three or fewer runs, the unheralded Reds' relievers, led by Tony Santillan (0.00 ERA), Brock Burke (0.96), Sam Moll (1.86 ERA), and Graham Ashcraft (1.64), must maintain their close-game edge.