The Cincinnati Reds are currently 18-10 and hold a slim lead at the top of the NL Central. Cincinnati missed a chance for a series sweep on Sunday. They fell 8-3 to the Detroit Tigers. The bullpen surrendered a late one-run lead.
MLB Game Recap
Detroit defeated Cincinnati 8-3 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep at Great American Ballpark. Starter Rhett Lowder provided a strong outing (5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 7 K, 94 pitches) before turning the game over to a bullpen featuring Brock Burke, Sam Moll, Pierce Johnson, and Jose Franco. The turning point arrived in the seventh inning. Pinch-hitter Hao-Yu Lee launched a go-ahead two-run home run off Moll. Then, Spencer Torkelson hit a blast that broke the Reds’ momentum.
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Standout Performer
JJ Bleday made a splash in his Reds debut, finishing 1-for-1 with a 403-foot solo home run and a walk. His fourth-inning home run to center field tied the game at 2-2 and energized the home crowd. Bleday reached base in both of his plate appearances. A pinch hitter in the sixth then replaced him. This proves he can provide immediate left-handed power to the lineup.
Key News & Notes
The Reds activated catcher Jose Trevino from the 10-day injured list. He recovered from a thoracic spine strain. Backup P.J. Higgins was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. In Dayton, Nick Lodolo looked dominant in a rehab start, throwing 5.0 scoreless innings on 51 pitches with 7 strikeouts and no walks. Additionally, reliever Kyle Nicolas was optioned to Triple-A to address command issues after walking 13 batters in 7.1 innings.
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Farm Report
- AAA: Ivan Johnson went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs, and 5 RBIs. He led the Louisville Bats to a 12-6 win over Iowa. Johnson’s first-inning grand slam set the tone for a 17-hit performance by the Bats.
- AA: Ruben Ibarra (2-4, 2 RBI) stood out offensively for the Chattanooga Lookouts. However, they suffered a 7-2 loss to the Smokies. Ibarra’s two-run single in the first inning accounted for all of Chattanooga’s scoring.
- High-A: Nestor Lorant (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) earned the save in the Dayton Dragons’ 3-0 shutout win. Lorant retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced to preserve the victory started by Nick Lodolo.
- Single-A: Jacob Friend (3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 1 RBI) fell just a triple shy of the cycle. This happened in the Daytona Tortugas’ 5-4 loss in 11 innings to Jupiter. Friend leads the league in doubles and provided two of Daytona’s four runs.
Looking Ahead
The Reds enjoy an off-day on Monday before beginning a new home series against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. RHP Chase Burns (2-1, 2.57 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the 7:05 PM ET series opener.
Lodolo is nearing a return. The offense is showing flashes of power. The Reds remain the team to beat in the Central.
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