In Cincinnati, Eugenio Suárez found his rhythm just in time to make a game-changing impact. His three-run blast in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted the Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Red Sox at Great American Ball Park, securing a series win to kick off the 2026 season.
The Reds' bats were quiet against Red Sox lefty Connelly Early until Matt McLain sparked the sixth inning with a leadoff single off the right-field wall. With one out, Boston turned to right-hander Greg Weissert, but Cincinnati seized the moment.
Sal Stewart worked a walk, setting the stage for Suárez. Earlier in the at-bat, Suárez narrowly avoided grounding into a double play with a foul ball. Then, with an 0-2 count, he launched a towering shot into the left-field upper deck, marking his first homer since returning to the Reds and his 190th career homer with the team.
Before his heroics, Suárez was 1-for-11 on the season, including a deep fly out to center in his previous at-bat. But his timing couldn't have been better this time around.
Rhett Lowder, the Reds' promising starter and No. 83 overall prospect, delivered a solid performance despite not factoring into the decision. Over five innings, Lowder allowed two earned runs on three hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
He kept Boston scoreless until a challenging fourth inning, where Wilyer Abreu's two-run homer put the Red Sox ahead 2-0. Lowder rebounded with a clean 1-2-3 fifth inning before exiting after 86 pitches, handing the game over to the bullpen.
Suárez's timely power and Lowder's promising outing set the tone for an exciting start to the Reds' season.