The Cincinnati Reds hold a 37-42 record following the conclusion of their home series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The club was swept at Great American Ball Park. This happened for the first time in 44 consecutive series. It followed a narrow 6-5 loss on Wednesday night.
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MLB Game Recap
Milwaukee established an early lead behind back-to-back home runs from William Contreras and Jake Bauers in the third inning. Andrew Vaughn extended the Brewers’ lead to 6-1 with a three-run double in the seventh. Cincinnati rallied late with a two-run home run by Spencer Steer in the eighth. The Reds’ comeback effort ended in the ninth inning. Dane Myers grounded into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded.
Standout Performer
Spencer Steer led the Cincinnati Reds offense by going 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and one run scored. His 400-foot blast in the eighth inning pulled the Reds within a single run. It provided a much-needed spark for an offense that struggled to capitalize on opportunities. The team left 16 runners on base throughout the game.
Key News & Notes
The Cincinnati Reds made a significant roster shuffle. This move coincided with Elly De La Cruz’s return from a hamstring strain. They optioned outfielder Will Benson to Triple-A Louisville. On Wednesday, the organization also officially sent pitcher Chris Paddack outright to Louisville. They took this action after he was designated for assignment earlier in the week.
Farm Report
- AAA Louisville Bats: Lost 4-3 to the St. Paul Saints; Michael Toglia finished 2-for-4 with a double and his 19th home run of the season. The Bats hit three solo home runs in the game but could not overcome a four-run deficit.
- AA Chattanooga Lookouts: Won 13-5 over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Ruben Ibarra went 2-for-2 with two home runs. He also had two walks and six RBIs. Ibarra has now hit three home runs in his last three games after a long power drought.
- A+ Dayton Dragons: Won 12-6 against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Carter Graham posted a 4-for-5 night. He hit two doubles and a home run to drive in two runs. Graham is currently hitting an impressive .324 with a 1.057 OPS for the season.
- A Daytona Tortugas: Won 10-3 over the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Kyle Henley spearheaded the 12-hit attack. He went 4-for-5 with two triples and an RBI. Henley has been on a roll recently, batting .371 over his last 11 days.
- ACL Reds: Won 6-4 against the ACL Athletics; Hunter Hollan earned the win by throwing 2.0 hitless innings of relief in his second rehab appearance. Hollan has yet to allow a hit through four innings of work since returning from the injured list.
Deep Dive: Matt McLain’s Transition to Center Field
During Wednesday’s series finale, broadcast reports indicated that infielder Matt McLain had begun taking defensive repetitions in center field. The Reds aim to increase their lineup flexibility. This comes after superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz returned. They also continue to have shortstop Edwin Arroyo on the team. Center field has shown inconsistent production for Cincinnati during the 2026 season. This inconsistency prompted the team to explore internal options.
McLain is not entirely new to the outfield, having played center field during his freshman season at UCLA. He also practiced the position during the Arizona Fall League. This was as he worked his way back from a shoulder injury. This injury had sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. McLain considers the move to the outfield a “different challenge.” The slower pace of play requires more mental focus. He needs to stay more “locked in” than he is in the middle infield.
The Cincinnati Reds value the versatility McLain provides. However, the move has drawn scrutiny. He is considered one of the team’s best defensive second basemen. Furthermore, McLain has struggled at the plate this year, slashing just .202/.305/.351. The organization seems focused on getting his bat back into a consistent rhythm. They are finding any available path into the daily lineup. This happens regardless of the defensive risk involved.
Looking Ahead
The Cincinnati Reds have an off-day on Thursday. They will travel to Pittsburgh to begin a weekend series against the Pirates on Friday. Andrew Abbott (5-4, 3.83 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the series opener.
The Reds showed a lot of heart in that late rally. Leaving 16 runners on base is a tough way to lose a series.
