Reds Walk Off Royals In 10 Innings Blake Dunn Does It Again

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Dateline: Cincinnati

The Reds made the most of its four hits, taking the Kansas City Royals to extra innings to take a 4-3 win and even the series.

Blake Dunn singled home ghost runner, Spencer Steer, who contributed two home runs to the cause against John Schreiber to complete a late winning rally. Dunn drove in the winning run in the last extra inning contest against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Royals were the last team to sweep the Reds at home August 16 through 18 in 2024. The Reds avoided a drop to the .500 mark and are now 31-29.

Noah Cameron allowed one lonely hit in seven innings and the Kansas City Royals bunched four hits around two walks to take an early lead.

"It was a real quiet night. If it wasn't Steer for awhile there, we had nothing. Their guy was kind of carving us up," Terry Francona said.

The Royals bullpen gave up a pair of home runs to send the game to extra innings.

The Royals broke up the three inning no-hitter when Salvador Perez singled. Veteran Starling Marte bunted for a single. With one out, Nick Loftin hit a single sharply to right to load the bases. Jac Caglianone bounced on off Abbott. Edwin Arroyo fielded it and got the out at first as Perez scored. Tyler Tolbert walked to reload the bases. Michael Massey singled up the middle for two more runs. He walked Lane Thomas but got All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. to foul out to Eugenio Suarez.

Cameron retired the first 13 Reds, three by strikeout. The streak ended when Spencer Steer hit his eighth home run. It broke the no-hitter, shutout and extended Steer's on-base streak to 21 games, the longest current streak in the Major Leagues.

Abbott completed six innings, with three runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out five.

"We pitched pretty good. Andrew had that really tough inning. He threw 30 pitches and just couldn't finish guys," Francona said. "There were a couple ground ball hits and a bunt. Or bullpen strung it together and did a really good job."

Tejay Antone struck out two in a scoreless seventh. Sam Moll authored a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts.

Cameron completed seven innings, retiring 21 of the 22 batters he faced. 

Long haired, long, lean, lefty Matt Strahm took over for Cameron and his first assignment was Steer. It didn't work out well for Strahm when Steer deposited his second home run of the game and ninth of the season into the right field stands. It was the fourth multi-home run game in Steer's career.

"It was an unreal job by everyone," Steer said. "Abbott gave us a chance to win. The bullpen came in shut them down. Offensively, it was tough. Their starter wasn't missing over the middle of the plate. We were kind of in between. We found a way and I couldn't be happier for Will Benson. He was ready for that moment."

Cameron pitched into the seventh in his last meeting with the Reds and also allowed just one run. It was Steer that drove that run in too.

"Just sticking to my approach," Steer said. "Just trying to get him out over. I know he likes to crowd righties in. He did a really good job of that tonight. I try to get him out over and make a good swing if he makes a mistake."

Zach Maxwell kept the game close with a scoreless ninth.

Pinch hitter Will Benson lined his third home run of the season to greet Lucas Erceg to tie the game. Erceg got two quick outs before walking Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez but he struck out Steer to send the game to the 10th inning. 

"Will with a huge hit, so we get to keep playing and we're at home," Francona said. "Once you tie the advantage goes to us. The idea was for Will to get on. Erceg has some walks or Will can get a hit and find away to get on. The home run is awesome but I don't think you really expect it." 

Brock Burke pitched around the ghost runner Carter Jensen, issuing a walk Loftin but stranding Jensen at third by striking out Kyle Isbel.

Steer started the bottom of the 10th on second base. Terry Francona put up the team's top bunter, TJ Friedl to bat for Tyler Stephenson. Friedl fouled off the first pitch on a bunt attempt and took a strike to go down in the count 0-2. He struck out swinging. Dunn delivered the game winner of Schreiber to send loud Reds' fans home happy.

"I've said it a few times now. Dunn just plays the game. He is going through a little tough stretch but he plays the game. He runs to first base like his pants are on fire. Every time he hits a ground ball it's a bang, bang play. We all appreciate that."

Dunn didn't try to do too much. He kept his approach like he did the last time the Reds needed him to come through.

"The guy had a no-hitter going, then Spence hit the home run and we just helped everybody relax," Dunn said. "A couple innings later Spence hits another homer which was huge. That ninth inning I felt there was kind of an energy in the dugout. Will hits the home run which is huge. I'm not in that spot if that doesn't happen."

His approach against Schreiber.

"A guy with a good sinker like that. He's trying to run it in on your hands. He has a big sweeper of the sinker. I'm trying to get something up. The thing I'm not trying to do is get pull happy. If he comes in on me and I try to do that, I'm swinging at bad pitches. That sinker was in. It might have been off the plate but I was able to stay inside of it and punch it to right field for a base hit," Dunn explained. 

Rhett Lowder On Rehab Assignment For Louisville At Memphis

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Rhett Lowder has not pitched since May 7 at Chicago. He pitched just three innings, allowing four runs on one hit and four walks. The start before that he lasted just 1 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who scored eight runs off him on five hits and four walks.

Lowder was placed on the 15-day injured list with pain in his right shoulder on May 13, retroactive to May 10. 

He is on a rehab start against the Memphis Redbirds as they host the Louisville Bats. He is scheduled to throw 70 pitches.

If he comes through it alright, the Reds plan to plug him back into the rotation and move Chris Paddack to the bullpen.

Lowder left after five innings with a 4-3 lead. He allowed three runs on six hits. He struck out eight and issued no walks. Lowder threw 70 pitches with 50 strikes.

Reds Go To The Drawing Board Again To Stabalize Bullpen

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds designated Brandon Leibrandt and Lyon Richardson for assignment and recalled right handers Luis Mey and Zach McCambley from Triple A Louisville.

The Reds were thankful for Brandon Leibrandt, who picked up the bullpen on Monday (060126) night by finishing six innings in a losing cause. 

It was a sacrifice that was necessary because of rash of injuries to the bullpen. 

"I hope we have a lead tomorrow and if we do and we win. He (Leibrandt) deserves a pat on the back," Francona said. 

It was an opportunity that may be more fulfilling down the road for Leibrandt.

"I've always said, if you're going to get me, you're going to get me," Leibrandt said. "I'm going to go out there and give you innings. I'm never going to go out and pitch a couple innings and leave the bullpen hang. It felt good to pick those guys up."

He got thanks from management as they designated him for assignment along with emergency opener, Lyon Richardson.

The Reds recalled Luis Mey and newcomer to the organization Zach McCambley, who the Reds acquired in the trade with the Miami Marlins for Rece Hinds on May 21.

McCambley from Netcong, NJ is 27 years old. He was the Marlins third pick in the 2020 draft out of Coastal Carolina University. He grew up in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. 

He pitched in eight games in the Philadelphia Phillies camp after being selected in the Rule V draft but was returned to the Marlins at the end of spring training.

McCambley pitched in Triple A for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He appeared in 13 games with two starts. He is 1-1 with one save and a 2.36 ERA. McCambley has 32 strikeouts and 17 walks in 26 2/3 innings. In Louisville he pitched 3 2/3 innings in two relief appearances, with a 1-0 record and 2.45 ERA after allowing one run on one hit, a home run to Ben Ross of the Minnesota Twins affiliate, St. Paul Saints.

When one opportunity closes another is created and McCambley has spent eight seasons in the minor leagues to get this one. He has been with three organizations since the end of March. This is his first chance to get in a big league game.

'It's been a crazy year being a Rule V and being in Clearwater for spring." McCambley said. "I looked at it as great opportunity."

Rule V players are required to be carried by the team that drafts them in this case the Philadelphia Phillies or get sent back to the team they came from.

"I was disappointed to be sent back," McCambley said. "I kept my nose to the grindstone and kept grinding and it got me here man. I thought I did well with the Phillies. I obviously didn't have the spring that I wanted to have. (8 games, 7 1/3 innings, 1.25, five hits, one run but six walks and four strikeouts). I had more walks than I would like to have had. I thought I competed. I thought I was a pro all the way through. I made it to the last day. I have nothing but good things to say about them."

Pat Kelly the Bats manager told him to keep doing what he was doing and his time will come.

"It helps to get a new set of eyes on you," said McCambley about being in three organizations in a short amount of time. Being in the minor leagues with the Marlins has been a grind. I have nothing but love for them over there."

"Everyone has been so welcoming to me here in the Reds organization. It is still so fresh. I've only been here for a week and a half," McCambley said. 

McCambley grew up a Phillies fan. "I watched the Phillies and the Yankees growing up," he said.

His family support is on the way starting at 4 am.

"They all packed up their whole lives and drove here. I have a great support system. They're all here," McCambley said.

It is an exciting experience for him and will be the second player to make a big league entrance for the first time as Edwin Arroyo did on Monday night. 

"He's had an interesting year," Terry Francona said. "Sometimes when you go to a new organization, you get a little bump. We've seen it. Right now, we're kind of the land of opportunity. I don't think it is realistic that everybody that gets called up is going to take it and run with it but if a couple guys do that it will really help."

Andrew Abbott Takes On Royals Noah Cameron

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds turn to All-Star Andrew Abbott to put the Kansas City Royals in their losing ways.

The Royals escaped a six-game losing streak to take offensive advantage of the Reds bullpen day, caused by illness to ace Chase Burns.

Abbott appears to have returned to his dominant form.

He is 4-3 with a 4.02 ERA. Abbott was 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in May. His last start he was charged with a losing decision when the Reds stranded 17 base runners in a 4-2 loss. He pitched six innings against the New York Mets. He allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk. One of the runs scored was the result of a non play by Elly De La Cruz. Originally ruled an error a scoring change turned it to a hit and an earned run.

Abbott has one start against the Royals. He is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA. He allowed four runs in five innings on six hits in an 8-1 loss on August 18, 2024.

The Royals send left hander Noah Cameron against the Reds.

Cameron is 26 years old, the seventh round pick of the Royals in the 2021 draft out of Central Arkansas University. 

He made 19 starts this season with a 2-4 record and 4.61 ERA. He has two quality starts in his last three outings, including one with six scoreless innings on four hits on May 22 against the Seattle Mariners. His last effort was a five inning start with two runs on four hits and a walk.

Cameron was the winning pitcher in his lone start against the Reds. He allowed one run on six hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings on May 28 in a 3-2 Royals win. He struck out two.

Lineups Reds:

Dane Myers CF

Sal Stewart 1B

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Spencer Steer LF

Tyler Stephenson C

Blake Dunn RF

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Matt McLain SS

Royals lineup

Lane Thomas CF

Bobby Witt Jr. SS

Salvador Perez C

Starling Marte DH

Vinnie Pasquantino 1B

Nick Loftin 3B

Jac Caglianone RF

Tyler Tolbert LF

Mike Massey 2B

JJ Bleday DH

Lane Thomas Haunts Reds Again Takes Advantage Of Chase Burns Absence

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Kansas City Royals took advantage of illness to ace Chase Burns. Lane Thomas hit the third grand slam of his career to doom the Reds to a 9-1 defeat.

It was the 11th home run Thomas hit against Reds pitching in his career. He hit three home runs against the Reds on June 3, 2022 and had a two-home run game on August 4, 2023 both times as a member of the Washington Nationals.

Newly anointed starter for Kansas City, Luinder Avila, pitched a career-high five innings to pick up his first win of the season. 

Lyon Richardson started for the Reds in place of  Burns.  He walked Carter Jensen to start the game. He hit Bobby Witt Jr. on a 3-1 pitch. He got a pop out by Vinnie Pasquantino but walked Jac Caglianone to load the bases. Isaac Collins struck out swinging but Thomas hit the first pitch off the facing of the upper deck to unload the bases. 

"He didn't have any command," Terry Francona said. "He was about to wiggle out of it but he tried to get ahead of Thomas and left it over the plate. I think he threw 30 pitches. That's a lot."

JJ Bleday hit his 10th home run of the season with one out against Kansas City opener, Luinder Avila to get a run back.

Caleb Ferguson took over for Richardson to start the second inning. He pitched two scoreless innings with two hits and two strikeouts. 

The Reds put two runners on against Avila. Eugenio Suarez walked and was forced at second by Nathaniel Lowe. Spencer Steer, reached base in his 20th straight game with a single to left. Tyler Stephenson forced Lowe at second and Edwin Arroyo struck out for the second time. It gave Avila a career-high four innings. 

The Royals stretched their lead in the fifth against Brandon Leibrandt. Witt doubled and Caglione hit his sixth home run of the season. The Royals added another in the sixth frame. Nick Loftin walked and went to second on Leibrandt's errant pick off attempt. Witt was intentionally walked when the count went to 3-0. Pasquantino's second single scored Loftin.

Michael Massey hit his fifth home run of the season in the seventh inning. 

Leibrandt saved the bullpen by finishing the game. He pitched six innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits and three walks. He struck out three. The last run scored on back-to-back singles by Thomas and Massey with a sacrifice fly by Loftin.

"I hope we have a lead tomorrow and if we do and we win. He (Leibrandt) deserves a pat on the back," Francona said. 

"I've always said, if you're going to get me, you're going to get me," Leibrandt said. "I'm going to go out there and give you innings. I'm never going to go out and pitch a couple innings and leave the bullpen hang. It felt good to pick those guys up."

The Reds put up a token run with two outs in the ninth. Edwin Arroyo singled for his first Major League hit off Eli Morgan. Matt McLain doubled off Morgan to allow Arroyo to score the first run of his career.

"It didn't start how I wanted," Arroyo said. "It finished how I wanted. It is a great opportunity and I was really excited after that (first hit) so let's keep it going."

The fans cheered hard for the hit even with the Reds eight runs down with two outs in the ninth.

"It was really exciting. I started thinking about the WBC in Puerto Rico. It was really loud. A lot of people cheering hopefully they keep coming and keep cheering for the team," Arroyo said. 

"It kind of gave everybody a little lift," Francona said. 

All Arms On Deck For Both Reds And Royals Start Relievers

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The Reds and Royals have a bullpen member start the game.

Lyon Richardson will replace an ill Chase Burns on the mound to start the game. 

Burns was sent home sick on Sunday afternoon. He tried to play catch today but was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday against the Kansas City Royals. 

The Royals counter with 24-year old right hander Luinder Avila out of Caracas, Venezuela. He is making his second start after nine relief appearances. Royals starters Kris Bubic and Cole Ragans are on the shelf with injuries.

"We love his stuff. We love his makeup. He's ultra competitive and has confidence in himself and rightfully so with the stuff he has," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "He threw 65, 67 pitches last time. He's probably in that 75-80 range. Hopefully, he is efficient and gets us deep into the game."

Avila is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA. His lone start was in the first game of a doubleheader on April 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched three innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits and three walks. 

Since then he has appeared in nine games in relief, working three innings in three of them, including his last two. He has 3.44 ERA as a reliever and pitching at least two innings in six of them.

He has never faced the Reds. The current Reds roster has a total of two at bats against him. JJ Bleday has a double in his lone at bat. Eugenio Suarez struck out in his lone at bat against Avila.

Richardson was brought up to the Reds on Saturday (053026) when Pierce Johnson was placed on the injured list. He pitched 2/3 of an inning against the Atlanta Braves that night, striking out one and giving up a home run to Ronald Acuna Jr.

Richardson is starting for the fifth time in his career. His four previous starts were in the 2023 campaign. In Louisville, Richardson, was 2-2 with a 5.93 ERA in 18 appearances that included one start.  He has never faced the Royals.

The Reds selected the contract of Brandon Leibrandt from Triple A Louisville to add length to the pitching staff.

The Lineup for the Reds that includes the first big league game for Edwin Arroyo:

Blake Dunn CF

JJ Bleday LF

Sal Stewart 3B

Nathaniel Lowe 1B

Eugenio Suarez DH

Spencer Steer  RF

Tyler Stephenson C

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Matt McLain SS

The Royals lineup:

Carter Jenson C

Bobby Witt Jr. SS

Vinnie Pasquantino 1B

Jac Caglianone DH

Isaac Collins LF

Lane Thomas RF

Michael Massey 2B

Nick Loftin 3B

Kyle Isbel CF

All-Star's Injury Leads To Chance For Edwin Arroyo

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Edwin Arroyo was awakened at 10:30 this morning by a phone call.

He ignored it and rolled over for another few winks.

The caller was Pat Kelly, the manager of the Triple A Louisville Bats. "If you want to go to the big leagues, you better answer the phone," Kelly bellowed on the other end of the line.

An hour and a half after All-Star shortstop, Elly De La Cruz had an MRI on his right hamstring the Reds called the 22-year old from Arecibo, Puerto Rico up from Louisville to fill the huge shoes of the fallen star.

Fans have been peppering the talk show air waves with questions why the talented young infielder was not on the team when Matt McLain was struggling at the plate.

Arroyo meanwhile was hitting above his weight at .323/.383/.562 in 53 games at Louisville. He has nine doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and 34 RBI. He has stolen nine bases and was never caught.

He came to the Reds organization in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for Luis Castillo on July 29, 2022. All of the averages on his slash line are the highest in his minor league career as he has played mostly shortstop but has played a lot of second base lately and some third base.

He missed all but 18 games in the Arizona Fall League in 2024 with a shoulder injury but rebounded with a good 2025 season at Double A Chattanooga with a .284 average. 

"I'm here now," Arroyo said. "I feel good, trying to be consistent and bring it up here. I feel good playing anywhere. I'm excited for the opportunity."

His meeting with manager Terry Francona was simple.

"He told me to be me," Arroyo said. "That's what I'm going to try to do. Walking into the clubhouse was really exciting. That was the goal for sure. Now that I'm here I want to help the team win."

Francona is not going to define Arroyo by whatever happens in the rookie's first dip into the Major League pool, which starts tonight against the Kansas City Royals at second base, batting eighth.

"I told him not to try to be somebody else. Just be who you are. I think that's the best thing you can tell young guys," Francona said. "He's a great kid. He's been playing with a lot of energy. I want to be a little careful. I'm excited to watch him but I also don't fall into, if he has a good 10 days you put him in the Hall of Fame or if he has a bad 10 days, he's a bust. Just let him play and let him try to help us win some games. That's why he's here. The experience will be really valuable for him."

"It can't be one guy to pick up the slack. That's not fair to anybody. I think 1 through 9 need to just play the game. That's what you ask."

Francona watched another kid from Puerto Rico grow into a solid major league career when Francisco Lindor was similarly coming through the Cleveland organization.

Arroyo followed Lindor while growing up in Puerto Rico along with Alex Rodriguez. 

"I used watch Alex Rodriguez when I was really young. I used to watch him a lot. I even wore his number 13," Arroyo said. "Then when Lindor was coming up and other Puerto Ricans. I watched them too.

He had been to Great American Ball Park but not on the field. He was able to contact family on the drive up I-71 from Louisville this morning. 

"Some will be here today and some more tomorrow," Arroyo said. 

He will wear the number two for the Reds.

"I found out on social media that it would be my number. I thought good. It's better than 56 that I had in spring training," Arroyo laughed.

Elly De La Cruz Could Miss Two To Four Weeks.

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Elly De La Cruz will miss an estimated two to four weeks after a morning MRI revealed a strained right hamstring.

"It is kind of between a grade one and two," Terry Francona said. "He got an injection. It is not a PRP but something for soft tissue. He will be a couple days, just getting treatment and depending on how he feels. We'll start letting him do some things. And then, the best timeline I can give you is in a couple of weeks, he'll be rescanned. That could change depending on how he feels but it could be sooner, but probably be close to that."

De La Cruz hit a ball to the gap in right center that bounced to the wall in the fifth inning on Sunday, but he pulled up because he felt tightness.

It cost him his 13th double but improved his slash line to .280/.346/.509. He is tops on the Reds with 37 RBI and 21st in MLB.

"I thought he did a good job of pulling up and not tearing that thing," Francona said. "That would have been not good. I've seen how he responds and heals. It wouldn't surprise me if it was on the quick end and he has that want to."

"He didn't want to go on the disabled list," Francona said. "He'll probably be on the quicker end. He didn't want to go on the IL which I respect. We need to take care of him."

Chase Burns Was Scratched From Start Due To Illness

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Chase Burns will not start against the Kansas City Royals as scheduled due to illness.

060126).

 

The Reds will use the bullpen with Lyon Richardson opening the game. 

The Reds selected the contract of Brandon Leibrandt, who started 11 games at Triple A Louisville earlier today.

Edwin Artoyo will start at second base and bat eighth.

Elly De La Cruz On IL Edwin Arroyo Recalled Estimate Two To Four Weeks

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Dateline: Cincinnati

The Reds placed All-Star shortstop on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring.

 They recalled shortstop Edwin Arroyo from Triple A Louisville.

De La Cruz pulled up in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday on a line drive to the gap in right center that could have been extra bases. He left the game and had an MRI at 9am.

The move will end De La Cruz’ playing streak at 277 games.

Arroyo will make his Major League debut when he plays.

He was the second round pick of the Seattle Mariners in the 2021 draft out of Arecibo Baseball Academy in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

He played for Puerto Rico in the Workd Baseball Classic.

Arroyo joined the Reds organization on July 29, 2022 in the trade for Luis Castillo.

At Louisville this season, Arroyo played in 53 games slashing .323/.383/.562. He hit nine doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and drove in 34 runs. He stole nine bases without being caught.

The Reds also selected the contract of LHP Brandon Leibrandt from Louisville and designated RHP Yunior Marte for assignment.

Leibrandt is the son of former Reds and Atlanta Braves pitcher, Charlie Leibrandt.

He pitched 6 1/3 innings for the Reds in 2024 with no record and a 9.95 ERA in two games.

Leibrandt made 11 starts in Louisville this year with a 2-3 record and 5.23 ERA.