The Cincinnati Reds currently hold a 42-49 record after evening their three-game series against Philadelphia. Over the last 24 hours, the team ended their recent slump. They achieved this with a historic home run barrage at Great American Ball Park. Minor league affiliate Will Benson accepted an outright assignment to Louisville.
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
MLB Game Recap
Cincinnati defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 11-5 on Wednesday night. This victory was highlighted by an offensive explosion. The team hit five total home runs. The Reds made history. They were the first MLB team this season to hit four home runs in a single inning. They achieved this during a five-run fourth inning. This inning featured consecutive blasts from Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and JJ Bleday. Starting pitcher Chase Burns earned his 11th win of the year. He pitched five innings. He allowed three runs while navigating a season-high six walks.
Standout Performer
Sal Stewart finished 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs in the victory over the Phillies. The rookie All-Star tied the game with his first blast in the third inning. He continues to demonstrate elite zone recognition. His skills rank among the most advanced on the roster.
Key News & Notes
Outfielder Will Benson cleared waivers. He accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. He opted to remain with the Reds organization after being designated for assignment last week. Off the field, the Reds’ developmental pipeline received a critical update. Baseball America ranked the organization’s farm system near the bottom of Major League Baseball.
Farm Report
- Louisville Bats (AAA): Michael Chavis (1-1, HR, 4 RBI) hit a walk-off grand slam in a 12-8 win over Omaha. The game also featured a 4-for-5 rehab performance from Ke’Bryan Hayes.
- Chattanooga Lookouts (AA): Carter Graham went 1-for-4 with an RBI. The team lost 3-1 to Rocket City. Starter Nate Peterson took the loss despite delivering a solid five-inning, two-run effort.
- Dayton Dragons (High-A): Jacob Friend went 2-for-4. He hit his 15th home run of the season and stole a base. The team lost 8-5 to Great Lakes.
- Daytona Tortugas (Low-A): Bernard Moon had an impressive game. He went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. His performance led Daytona to a 10-9 victory over Palm Beach.
- ACL Reds (Rookie): Steele Hall went 2-for-4 with a home run. He had four RBIs in a 10-4 win over the Athletics. Rehabbing pitcher Luke Holman threw two shutout innings.
Deep Dive: The Reds Bullpen
The Cincinnati bullpen has unexpectedly emerged as the roster’s strongest unit, posting a Major League-best 2.31 ERA despite preseason projections that expected a below-average performance. This success has been driven by a relief corps that is currently limiting opponents to a .184 batting average, the second-lowest mark in baseball, while maintaining a 25.4% strikeout rate.
Individual breakouts have been the primary catalyst for this trend. Tony Santillan has been flawless with a 0.00 ERA, while offseason acquisition Brock Burke has pitched to a 0.96 ERA, establishing himself as a premier left-handed option. Graham Ashcraft has successfully transitioned into a high-leverage role with a 1.64 ERA, and Connor Phillips has revitalized his prospect status with a 2.25 ERA out of the pen.
However, significant warning signs persist regarding the unit’s long-term sustainability. Command remains a major issue, as several key arms possess high walk rates, including Phillips (20.8%), Sam Moll (17.1%), and Santillan (16.2%). Additionally, closer Emilio Pagán has struggled with a 4.35 ERA and a 14% walk rate, while his strikeout rate has dropped significantly from last season. The bullpen is currently the team’s backbone. These statistical outliers highlight potential issues. Improved discipline is necessary to prevent late-inning implosions.
Looking Ahead
The Reds conclude their series against the Phillies tonight at 7:10 PM ET, with Brady Singer (3-8, 5.03 ERA) set to face Philadelphia left-hander Jesús Luzardo (7-4, 3.75 ERA).
The sudden display of multi-homer power from the middle of the order is impressive. This is exactly the “injection of life” this roster needed before the All-Star break.
