The Cincinnati Reds currently hold a 32-34 record after a gritty performance on the West Coast. Over the last 24 hours, the club snapped a frustrating five-game losing streak. They achieved a thrilling 11-inning victory against the San Diego Padres.
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MLB Game Recap
The Reds secured a 5-3 win in a game that stretched into the early morning hours. Rookie Sal Stewart’s tiebreaking two-run home run in the top of the 11th inning punctuated the victory. Chase Burns delivered a strong start, striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings of two-run ball, while the bullpen escaped several high-leverage jams, including a bases-loaded threat in the ninth. Reliever Zach Maxwell closed the game in the 11th and earned his first career save. He successfully defended a lead built on RBI hits from Stewart and Eugenio Suárez.
Standout Performer
Sal Stewart was the hero of the night. He finished 1-for-4 with a two-run home run. He also walked twice and scored a run. His 407-foot blast to center field ended Cincinnati’s losing skid. It also served as a signature moment for the 22-year-old rookie. He now has 13 home runs on the season.
Key News & Notes
The Reds received an encouraging update on superstar Elly De La Cruz. His rehab for a hamstring strain is progressing so well. His follow-up MRI has been moved up three days to this Friday. The team made recent roster moves. They activated pitcher Rhett Lowder from the injured list. They also optioned right-hander Luis Mey to Triple-A Louisville. Meanwhile, third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes continues to work through a lumbar bulging disc at the team’s facility in Arizona. His return timeline remains indefinite.
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Farm Report
- Triple-A Louisville Bats: Will Banfield went 1-for-4 with an RBI in a 10-2 loss to the Iowa Cubs. The Bats’ pitching struggled throughout the night, surrendering four home runs in the defeat.
- Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts: Leo Balcazar had an impressive game. He went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run. He also scored two runs in a 5-3 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Balcazar’s eighth-inning blast secured the victory and highlighted his status as one of the Southern League’s premier run producers.
- High-A Dayton Dragons: Carter Graham went 2-for-4. He hit two home runs and earned 5 RBIs. This performance contributed to a 12-2 rout of the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Graham has been on a historic tear, recording 10 home runs and 42 RBIs over his last 37 games.
- Single-A Daytona Tortugas: Yerlin Cano went 1-for-4 with a run scored in a lopsided 14-1 loss to the Jupiter Hammerheads. The game spiraled out of reach in the ninth inning when Daytona’s bullpen surrendered nine runs.
- ACL Reds: Steele Hall went 3-for-4 with a home run. He also had two walks and 3 RBIs in a dominant 13-1 win over the ACL Dodgers. Hall’s efficient night at the plate led an offense that drew 10 walks and hammered out eight hits.
Looking Ahead
The Reds look to win the series against the San Diego Padres today at 4:10 pm ET. Cincinnati will start Brady Singer (2-6, 5.89 ERA) against San Diego’s Michael King (4-5, 3.41 ERA).
Sal Stewart’s heroics might be just the spark this team needs to climb back toward .500. What do you think?
