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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona
The Cleveland Guardians came back to take the first of three games between the Ohio rivals, 4-2.
The Reds jumped to a tw-run lead when former Cleveland top draft choice followed Edwin Arroyo's leadoff double in the third inning with a home run against, Colin Holderman.
Three youthful starters pitched two innings each and left with the score tied after six innings.
The Wake Forest duo of Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder pitched the first four frames. Julian Aguiar came back from injury and pitched two innings. Lowder and Aguiar made their first appearance against big league competition since 2024.
Burns pitched the first two innings. He walked three batters but didn't allow a hit. He is competing for the fifth spot in the Reds' starting rotation. He struck out two with 32 pitches, 15 for strikes.
"It felt good. It's good to have the first one out of the way. I had the jitters but it's good. It shows you care," Burns said.
He admitted to pulling his fastball a little which caused the walks but he rated his change up as really good.
"To be able to work on a slider and get a good hitter like (Jose) Ramirez made me realize it is going to be a good pitch for me," Burns said.
Lowder also retired Ramirez. It was good for Terry Francona to see but he cautioned that, "Josie isn't in mid season form yet." Francona managed Ramirez in Cleveland during the All-Star's early years.
Burns stayed out to watch his college teammate navigate his two innings.
"He's my boy," Burns said. "It was good to see him out there, feeling good and feeling healthy. His change up is really nasty. I've been throwing with him every day so I've gotten to see what he's working on."
Lowder had a year of rehab behind him and this was his first competition in over a year.
"It wasn't bad," Lowder said. "I still have stuff to work on but it felt really good. I got to compete a little bit, work with guys on base a little. It was pretty fun. I have to figure out the bullpen a little bit. I think a threw too many pitches out there. I was excited to see (Steven Kwan) and Ramirez. They had a lot of good lefties. It was a good challenge for me."
Aguiar followed with two innings, allowing a run on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
The 24-year old last pitched on September 19, 2024 against Atlanta. He had "Tommy John" surgery in October of 2024.
"It was exciting to be able to come back and enjoy the game of baseball that we love," Aguiar said. "It is something I've been doing my whole life, really. I used all of my pitches you can't be afraid to use any of your pitches. I went out and attacked to zone. I had the jitters, even now, I'm still excited and glad we got through it. It wasn't hard sitting out it is just a mind set. You have to tell yourself you're not competing in games and enjoy your time in the gym and just get after it and it will go by quick. I learned a lot."
Francona enjoyed watching the trio, two of which he didn't see against competition last year.
"Burns walked three which he wasn't happy about but the ball came out fine. I thought Lowder was really good. The second inning especially. Aggie had a low pitch count because of the double play, caught stealing and threw a lot of pitches in his second inning. He gave up back-to-back doubles. He hadn't pitched in 15 months. That was fun to watch."
It was good to get the first game out of the way.
"We're talking about making the clubs and all that but they haven't pitched competitively in a long time. What is even more important is when they throw a side and get into a routine," Francona said.
Carter Kieboom hit a two-run double off non-roster RHP Hagen Danner in the seventh to seal the game.
Tyler Stephenson opened the Cactus League with a solid single to center off Cleveland Guardians starter, Logan Allen.
The Reds had four hits Arroyo's double, Benson's home run and Stephenson's single. Blake Dunn fighting to win a roster spot singled.
NOTE
Sal Stewart won an ABS challenge in the first inning. He was called out on strikes but challenged and took a walk instead.
"It looked like he challenged every pitch. He kinda goes to his head all the time. He was successful. Which doesn't surprise me," Francona said.
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