Joey Ortiz Dramatic Blast Bums Reds

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Joey Ortiz picked a dramatic moment to belt the second home run of the season. The blast provided the margin in the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-3 win.

The Brewers are 4-0 against the Reds after sweeping a three-game series in Cincinnati last week.

 Nick Lodolo left the game with a 3-0 lead. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing one hit. It gave him nine scoreless against the Brewers. In his last start he finished four innings even after Jackson Churio lined a ball of his left wrist.

Lodolo walked four and struck out four, including Churio on a 12-pitch dispute.

The Reds scored early against Brewer starter Robert Gasser. With two outs Spencer Steer singled. JJ Bleday walked. Dane Myers double to score Steer.

Elly De La Cruz hit his 13th home run of the season after Edwin Arroyo singled.

Myers had to leave the game on a cart after he robbed Andrew Vaughn of an extra base hit leading off the fourth.

“It was an amazing catch,” Terry Francona said. “He’s fearless. I’m surprised he held onto it but he paid a price.”

The Reds too x-rays but sent him to the hospital.

“They’re checking for a lot of things, shoulder, neck, ribs. He was really hurting and it wasn’t going away,” Francona said.

Chase Petty surrendered the lead.

Vaughn doubled off Sal Stewart’s glove with one out. Pinch hitter Christian Yelich walked. Pinch hitter Jake Bauers singled to score Vaughn. Petty threw a wild pitch on ball four to Sal Frelick. The inning ended on a fly out by pinch hitter, David Hamilton and strike out of Joey Ortiz to end the sixth.

Brice Turang hit his 12th home run to tie the game in the seventh.

Sam Moll struck out Yelich to end the seventh. He got Bauers to fly out. Hamilton bunted him to second. Tejay Antone gave up Ortiz’ second home run of the season on a 1-1 pitch.

“He threw three breaking balls in a row,” Francona said. “I don’t think he got it where he wanted to.”

Dane Myers Leaves The Game After Awesome Catch

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Dane Myers had to leave the game with the Milwaukee Brewers after a long running catch to rob Andrew Vaughn of an extra base hit.

Myers raced to deep center to control the ball before crashing into the fence with his shoulder and the left side of his face.

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 He was able to sit up before trainers Sean McQueeney and Tomas Veras ordered the cart.

Myers had an RBI double in first inning with two outs to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

TJ Friedl, called up on Sunday when Blake Dunn was placed on the 10-day injured list, took over for Myers.

Nick Lodolo Take Two Tonight In Milwaukee

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Nick Lodolo may still be smarting from the line drive that Jackson Churio sent at 107 mph off his left wrist. 

He finished the inning getting out of a bases loaded fourth inning jam but left when it swelled between innings.

His four scoreless innings were unrewarded in a 2-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

  Tonight (062926) Lodolo will cart his 2-2 record with a 5.59 ERA into the rematch and his 10th start. 

Lodolo is 4-2 in his six starts with a 2.52 ERA against Milwaukee lifetime.

Left hander Robert Gasser with a 1-3 record and 4.50 ERA will oppose Lodolo.

Gasser was drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Houston. The Brewers sent Josh Hader to San Diego for Gasser and three others in August 2022.

He broke in with the Brewers in 2024. He made seven starts combined for 2024 and 2025. 

Gasser made seven starts in Nashville before starting for the first time for the Brewers on May 17. His last two starts have been his best. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Cleveland Guardians allowing two hits and a pair of walks. He struck out five. Gasser earned his first winning decision in a 9-4 verdict against the Atlanta Braves with six innings of two-run baseball on four hits and a walk. He struck out a career tying high seven. 

Gasser walked 12 and struck out 31 in 30 innings. He surrendered six home runs, including four in his start against the Athletics on June 9.

He has one start against the Reds, a losing 7-4 decision in which he allowed four unearned runs on four hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.

The Reds lineup:

Elly De La Cruz DH

Sal Stewart 3B

Spencer Steer 3B

JJ Bleday LF

Dane Myers CF

Noelvi Marte RF

Tyler Stephenson C

Matt McLain SS

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Milwaukee lineup: available later 

The Cavalry Is Coming Starter And Closer On Their Way

      

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Hunter Greene made a rehab start against the St. Paul Saints on Sunday.

Greene was scheduled to throw 85 pitches. This may be his last rehab start as long as he recovers normally.

The 26-year old right hander pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Louisville. He allowed one hit. He struck out four with no walks. He threw 84 pitches with 54 strikes.

 Greene made two starts in Louisville and one in the Arizona Complex League. In Triple A he totaled 10 1-3 innings with no runs on three hits and a walk.

Greene had bone chips removed in March after not retiring a single batter in the first inning in his lone spring training start against the Milwaukee Brewers. He could join the Reds in Milwaukee but likely won’t be activated until the team returns home against the Baltimore Orioles. If he stays on a five day rotation routine. His first start would be Friday.

Emilio Pagan finished his second rehab appearance also on Sunday. It took him a total of 13 pitches in two scoreless outings in Louisville. Pagan will likely be activated sooner. 

The Reds placed Tony Santillan, the substitute closer, on the injured list on Friday.

The Reds have 11 pitchers who recorded a save this season. Pagan still leads with six even missing 44 games (25-29) since May 6 when he was placed on the injured list with a strained left hamstring.

Ryan O’Hearn Keeps Pirates Afloat In Series Finale

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Ryan O’Hearn hit two home runs and Tyler Callihan haunted the Reds to account for seven of the Pittsburgh Pirates runs in a 9-4 win to salvage a game in the series.

Brady Singer pitched seven scoreless innings in his last start. The Pittsburgh Pirates reversed his fortunes with a four-run second inning.

The big hit came from Callihan, who broke in with the Reds last year but tore his shoulder. He was traded for Kyle Nicolas.

 Callihan hit his third home run of the season, a three-run blow that followed an RBI ground rule double by Esmerlyn Valdez.

The Reds evened the game against Mitch Keller with two runs in the fourth and fifth.

Elly De La Cruz reached on an error by second baseman Brandon Lowe. Sal Stewart slammed a double off the high right field wall. De La Cruz stopped at third. JJ Bleday delivered them with a single to right center.

Singer was able to escape a bases loaded no out jam in the bottom of the inning, Callihan singled. Jake Mangum reached on an error by second baseman Edwin Arroyo. Henry Davis bunted for a hit. Konnor Griffin forced Callihan at the plate. Lowe struck out and Bryan Reynolds grounded out.

Noelvi Marte walked to start the fifth. Tyler Stephenson delivered an RBI double over Callihan’s head in left.  Arroyo singled to score Stephenson with the tying run.

Singer started the fifth. Ryan O’Hearn hit his 12th home run to give the Pirates the lead. It was the 21st home run given up by Singer. He is third behind former Red, Zach Little and Jeffrey Springs from the Athletics.

Singer pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and six strike outs. He didn’t walk anyone. The bullpen walked eight to aid and abet the Bucs.

Julian Garcia got the last two outs in the fifth and struck out David and Griffin to start the sixth. Then he walked, Lowe, Reynolds and Gonzales. Zach McCambley retired O’Hearn in a fly to right.

McCambley caught the walk bug in the seventh. He walked the first three batters in the seventh. The six walks in seven batters was reminiscent of the seven straight walks the Reds issued the Pirates in a 17-7 loss in May.

Brock Burke entered the game for the 42nd time which is second in baseball to Toronto Blue Jays’ Mason Fluharty’s 44 appearances.

Burke got Davis on an infield fly. Griffin hit a one hopper to Stewart at third. He stepped on third and threw home to get Valdez at home.

The Reds left two runners on base in the seventh and eighth.

Burke struck out Lowe to start the eighth. The Reds opted for Pierce Johnson.

The game was delayed by an hour and five minutes.

When the game resumed. Johnson couldn’t find home plate and walked Reynolds, who has now reached base in 33 straight games. 

O’Hearn hit his 13th. Valdez followed with his fifth of the season and third of the series to break the game open. 

TJ Friedl Returns To Reds

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

TJ Friedl returned from Triple A Louisville and Blake Dunn was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow strain suffered on a throw for center field on Friday night (062626). 

Friedl went to the minor leagues for first time since 2024. He was struggling with a .179 batting average. He hit six doubles and two home runs. Friedl had just a .259 on-base-percentage after a .364 in 2025.

 At Louisville Friedl played 16 games hitting .272 with a .370 OBP. He hit five doubles and three home runs after being sent down on June 3 when Noelvi Marte was promoted. 

Dunn felt his elbow on the throw home on a sacrifice fly. X-rays were negative but rest is required.

Dunn is hitting .282 with a .335 OBP with seven doubles, a triple and two home runs in 38 games. 

Eugenio Suarez Blow Beats Bucs

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Eugenio Suarez found the upper deck of PNC Park with a big fly ball with two mates aboard to lift the Reds to a 9-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to ensure their first intradivision series win.

Rookie pinch hitter belted his fourth home run of the season and second in two days to put the Pirates in position to win. Caleb Ferguson was the victim but Suarez’ 31st clutch home run turned him into a winner.

Suarez has 31 has the most game winning home runs in the sixth inning or later since 2014.

 Rookie Chase Petty earned his first career save with a scoreless ninth thorough the heart of the Pirates’ lineup. He is the 11th different pitcher to post a save at the exact halfway point of the season.

Reds ace Chase Burns had his worst outing of the season but gutted through six innings. The Reds are now 12-4 in his 16 starts.

He allowed a season-high five runs on nine hits. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out 10. He entered game with an minuscule 0.45 ERA in four prior appearances against Pittsburgh. Brandon Lowe’s 20th home run scored Jared Trilio and Jake Mangum, who singled to erase the Reds 2-0 lead in the third. He allowed a double by Endy Rodriguez in the fourth on a two-out single by Triolo in the fourth.

Sal Stewart hit his 15th home run of the season against Pirates’ starter Jared Jones. Stewart drove home Jose Trevino who doubled to stake the Reds to an early lead.

The Reds erased the Bucs’ lead in the fifth Dane Myers walked. He was balked to second and scored on Edwin Arroyo’s double. Arroyo scored from third with two outs when Stewart reached on a error by Lowe to tie the game at four.

Suarez walked and Spencer Steer singled to put men on the corners. Suarez was erased on Noelvi Matre’s weak grounder to the mound. Myers bunt single loaded the bases off Ethan Sisk and Yohan Ramirez. Trevino drove them home with a ground single to right. Arroyo was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With the infield in Lowe made a diving stop of Elly De La Cruz’ ground ball and turned it into an inning ending double play.

Burns went out for the seventh inning and Triolo’s third hit, a double forced Burns to exit. Sam Moll got a ground out that put Triolo on third. Lowe drove in his fourth run of the game on a running catch by Myers in deep center.

Moll walked Bryan Reynolds and Nick Gonzales in front of Ryan O’Hearns game tying single.

Tejay Antone stranded two runners striking out Marcel Ozuna swinging.

The Pirates sent Gregory Soto to hold the lead, looking for his 11th save. Arroyo singled to right to open the ninth. De La Cruz challenged a strike call on a 3-2 to gain a walk. Stewart grounded into a double play. Soto breathed easier but walked JJ Bleday on another successful challenge. That set up Suarez’ game winning eighth home run.

Petty got Lowe and hot hitting Reynolds but added drama by walking Gonzales before the game ended on a soft line drive to Steer at first.

The Reds look for a sweep to avenge a Pirates sweep in early May. At the halfway point Cincinnati is 39-42. Pittsburgh fell under .500 at 42-43.

Chase Burns Battles Bucs

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Chase Burns, the Reds answer to Paul Skenes, intends to Shanghai the Pittsburgh Pirates with his golden pieces 9-1 record and even 2.00 ERA.

Burns allowed two runs or fewer in 14 of his 15 starts with this game marking the Reds halfway point in the season. The Reds posted wins in 11 and lost just four of those games.

By contrast the reigning Cy Young award winner, Skenes, last seven starts ended in Pirate losses.

Burns will make his fourth start and fifth appearance against Pittsburgh in his brief career. He is 1-0 with an 0.45 ERA against them. He made two starts this season. On March 30, Burns allowed one hit in five scoreless innings in a 2-0 win. His last start was on May 3 ended in a 1-0 Pirate win but Burns allowed three hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Jared Jones was the second round pick of the Pirates in the 2020 draft out of La Mirada High School in La Mirada, California.

 Jones, a 24-year old right hander will bring a 1-1 record and 5.35 ERA in five starts to the mound.His best outing was a 5-1 win in Houston on June 4. Jones pitched five scoreless innings on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. That is his longest stint of the season. Jones’ last start he pitched just three innings, allowing one run on one hit, two walks and three strikeouts. He took a line drive off his right elbow hit by TJ Rumfield. He had surgery on the elbow in May 2025 and missed the rest of the season. Jones 

Jones made his lone start against the Reds on September 21, 2024. The Reds won 7-1. Jones pitched five innings and gave up six runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out five and surrendered home runs to Ty France and Elly De La Cruz.

The Reds lineup:

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart 3B

JJ Bleday LF

Eugenio Suarez DH

Nathaniel Lowe 1B

Noelvi Marte RF

Dane Myers CF

Jose Trevino C

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Pirates lineup:

Jake Mangum CF

Brandon Lowe 2B

Bryan Reynolds LF

Nick Gonzales 3B

Ryan O’Hearn 1B

Marcel Ozuna DH

Endy Rodriguez C

Tyler Callihan RF

Jared Triolo SS

Reds Buck Trends To Beat Bucs

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Noelvi Marte hit his first career pinch hit home run and Caleb Ferguson  recorded his first save as a Red as the Reds held on to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4.

Rookie Konnor Griffin led off a game with a home run in his career against Andrew Abbott.

It looked like more gloom and doom for the Reds in Division play the Reds came into the game with two wins 16 tries in the NL Central. Plus they faced Paul Skenes the riegning Cy Young Award winner. He allowed the Reds just two runs in 35 innings over six previous starts against the Reds.

The law of averages caught up to Skenes in the Reds second inning.

Nathaniel Lowe led off with a double to right center. Eugenio Suarez singled with a soft line drive past Griffen at third. Lowe had to hold until it got through and reached third. Spencer Steer singled to tie the game. Tyler Stephenson singled off the wall in right to put the Reds ahead. Matt McLain was called out on a 3-2 pitch but was successful on a late challenge, walking to load the bases. Dunn and Elly De La Cruz hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to give the Reds a 4-2 lead.

“He (Skenes) has great stuff. We all know that,” Terry Francona said. “We got his pitch count up and hit it the other way with authority.”

The Pirates were on the losing side in Skenes last seven starts, with this loss.

 A throwing error by Suarez led to an unearned run for Pittsburgh in the fifth. Henry Davis the nine hole hitter ended up on second base. A fly out by Griffin put him on third. Another fly by Lowe scored Davis.

Skenes left after the fifth inning.

The Pirates tied the game in the sixth. Ozuna homered on a 3-2 pitch leading off. It was his seventh of the season. One out later rookie Esmerlyn Valdez hit his third home run to even the score. 

Tejay Antone took over for Abbott, who pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits. The three home runs allowed tied Abbott’s career high. Abbott walked on and struck out six.

Marte’s fourth home run followed Sal Stewart’s single off Mason Montgomery to put the Reds up two runs ahead. 

Dunn left the game with discomfort in his elbow. 

“When he made the throw (on the sacrifice fly in the fifth) his elbow kind of grabbed him a little. He’s had problems with it in the past,” Francona said. “We x-rayed it and it was ok but we’ll get it looked at tomorrow.”

Ferguson, who had to heal an oblique, started the season late. He became the 10 different pitcher to record a save.

Ferguson’s seventh career save and first in over two years picked up the Reds who had to put Tony Santillan on the injured list with a strained oblique this morning. Antone, Pierce Johnson and Brock Burke, who got the win, shutdown the Bucs for 4 2/3 innings. 

We kind of pieced it together,” Francona said. “We wanted Ferguson to face (Endy) Rodriguez and (Brandon) Lowe. We had (Chase) Petty up and (Bryan) Reynolds is better batting right handed. But Ferguson is a veteran so we let him finish.”

The Reds lost five straight to the Pirates and were swept by them in PNC Park in early May.

The Reds are 38-42 with the halfway point on Saturday. Pittsburgh is 41-41.

All-Stars Butt Heads In Pittsburgh

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

The All-Stars are aligned in the sky over Pittsburgh.

Andrew Abbott for the Reds and Paul Skenes will oppose each other in the first game of the three game intradivision series.

Abbott shook off a rough start to forge a 5-4 record with a shrinking 3.83 ERA. 

In his last five games, Abbott, has three quality starts and two with one run allowed in five innings. In his last start Abbott picked up a 10-2 win over the New York Yankees with five innings of one run baseball on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts. 

Abbott is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates. He last faced the Pirates in an 8-3 loss on April 1. He allowed four runs in 5 2-3 innings. He allowed five hits with a walk and a three-run home run by Oneil Cruz. 

Skenes has been charged with a loss in three of his last five outings, including the last two in which he allowed just two earned runs in six innings. The Pirates lost all five of his last five starts, although Skenes pitched well enough to win in each of them.

Skenes is 5-0 against the Reds, lifetime, he has a 0.53 ERA in six starts. He was the winning pitcher facing Abbott on April 1. He gave up a run on three hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Skenes allowed no runs over 13 innings in two starts last season against the Reds. He allowed one run to the Reds in 17 innings in three starts in 2023.

Reds Lineup:

Blake Dunn CF

Elly De La Cruz SS

JJ Bleday LF

Sal Stewart 1B

Nathaniel Lowe DH

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Spencer Steer RF

Tyler Stephenson C

Matt McLain 2B

Pirates lineup:

Konnor Griffen SS

Brandon Lowe 2B

Bryan Reynolds LF

Marcel Ozuna DH

Ryan O’Hearn 1B

Esmerlyn Valdez RF

Jared Trilio 3B

Jake Magnun CF

Henry David C