In a dramatic turn of events, the Cincinnati Reds saw their lead slip away in the top of the 8th inning as the Cleveland Guardians mounted an impressive comeback, securing a win in Goodyear.
Game Highlights
The Reds got an early break in the bottom of the 2nd when Spencer Steer reached on an error. Noelvi Marte capitalized on this opportunity with a towering 425-foot 2-run homer, putting Cincinnati ahead.
Cleveland responded in the 4th inning as Rhys Hoskins launched a solo shot, trimming the Reds' lead to 2-1. The 5th inning saw a pivotal moment when an error allowed Kyle Manzardo to reach base, setting up a 2-run double by Travis Bazzana.
This hit off Nick Lodolo gave the Guardians their first lead of the game. Lodolo's day ended shortly after, with Easton Sikorski stepping in to halt the momentum.
Cincinnati fought back in the bottom of the 5th, with Elly De La Cruz delivering a clutch 2-out single that drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.
Graham Ashcraft took the mound in the 6th and, despite a leadoff double, struck out the next three batters to escape unscathed. The Reds' offense continued to push, as Ivan Johnson's powerful double set the stage for Yerlin Confidan's 114 MPH line drive single, extending their lead to 5-3.
The 7th inning was a breeze for Sam Moll, but the 8th inning brought trouble. Brock Burke struggled, allowing a series of hits and walks that culminated in a 2-run triple by Reiner Herrera, putting Cleveland ahead. The Guardians added two more runs, leaving the Reds trailing 8-5.
In the 9th, prospect Alfredo Alcantara offered a glimmer of hope with a 408-foot homer, but it wasn't enough as the Guardians held on for an 8-6 victory.
News and Notes
Nick Lodolo's performance was a mixed bag: 4.2 innings, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts. He threw 77 pitches, with 46 strikes, and showed solid control with six groundouts.
Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte were the standouts for the Reds, each driving in two runs with their hits.
Yerlin Confidan made a strong impression with two hard-hit balls, clocking in at 114 MPH and 107 MPH, both resulting in hits.
In the World Baseball Classic, Reds' Eugenio Suarez delivered the decisive blow for Venezuela, clinching their first WBC title with a go-ahead hit against Team USA.
Looking ahead, the Reds will face the Colorado Rockies at home in Goodyear, while also taking on the Los Angeles Angels on the road in a split-squad scenario. Fans can catch the home game on Reds.tv or MLB.tv, with first pitch at 4:05pm ET.
Scheduled to pitch: Brady Singer, Pierce Johnson, Graham Ashcraft, and Connor Phillips. The road game starts at 4:10pm ET, featuring Chase Burns, Sam Moll, and Luis Mey on the mound for Cincinnati.