In a thrilling extra-inning showdown, Dane Myers delivered a clutch 11th-inning single to drive in T.J. Friedl, securing the Cincinnati Reds' first win of the season with a 6-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The atmosphere at Great American Ball Park was electric, especially with Kids Opening Day drawing a crowd of 38,298.
Myers, who entered the game as a defensive substitute, became the hero with his game-winning hit to left-center off Boston's Justin Slaten. Matt McLain was a standout performer, reaching base five times through three hits and two walks, while Connor Phillips earned the win with two dominant innings of relief.
A key storyline was Cincinnati's perfect record in ABS challenges, going five-for-five, while Boston exhausted their challenges early, leaving them without recourse in crucial moments.
Offensive Highlights
The Reds' lineup posted a combined 10-for-42 (.238) with two homers, seven walks, and 12 strikeouts, culminating in six runs. T.J.
Friedl and McLain set the tone early with a single and a walk, respectively. Sal Stewart's line drive to right brought in the Reds' first run, and Eugenio Suarez's grounder added another, as Sonny Gray struggled through a 35-pitch first inning.
In the second, McLain's career-best 110 mph double extended the Reds' lead to 3-0. Stewart showcased his power with a 108.6-mph homer in the third, pushing Cincinnati ahead 4-1. His early-season form is nothing short of impressive, boasting a .833 average and a 2.500 OPS.
Elly De La Cruz added to the excitement in the fifth with a first-pitch homer, making it 5-3. The Reds threatened again in the sixth, loading the bases, but a Suarez groundout ended the inning after two successful ABS challenges.
The 11th inning saw Friedl on second and McLain walking, setting the stage for Myers' decisive hit.
Pitching Performance
Cincinnati's pitchers combined for 11 innings of work, allowing eight hits, five walks, and two homers, while striking out 15 and conceding five runs. Starter Brady Singer kept the Red Sox at bay early, but a solo shot by Trevor Story in the third brought Boston back into the game.
Roman Anthony's RBI single and a wild pitch in the third inning cut the Reds' lead to 4-3. Boston's inability to challenge a questionable strike three call on Story proved costly.
Sam Moll took over in the fifth, delivering a scoreless inning against Boston's top hitters. Pierce Johnson and Graham Ashcraft combined to navigate the sixth, with Ashcraft overcoming a wild pitch to maintain the lead.
In the seventh, Wilyer Abreu's double reduced the gap to 5-4. Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagan kept Boston at bay, with Pagan striking out Story on a disputed call.
However, Pagan couldn't hold the lead in the ninth, surrendering a game-tying homer to Abreu. Connor Phillips then stepped up in extras, retiring six straight batters and making a strong case for the closer role with three strikeouts.
Key Moment
The game's turning point arguably came in the sixth inning, with back-to-back successful ABS challenges by Suarez. The crowd erupted, highlighting the strategic importance of saving challenges for pivotal situations. Cincinnati's savvy approach contrasted with Boston's early missteps, underscoring the tactical edge that played a crucial role in the Reds' victory.
This win sets an exciting tone for the season, with the Reds showing resilience and strategic acumen in a memorable home opener.