The Reds Bullpen Shuttle Up And Running

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

As expected Chase Petty has been returned to Triple A Louisville one day after starting the first game of the Washington Nationals series on Friday (080726). 

The Reds activated RHP Ron Marinaccio, who reported to the club, after the Reds claimed him on waivers on from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

 Marinaccio is 31 years old and was the 19th round pick of the New York Yankees out of the University of Delaware.

He broke in with the Yankees in 2022 and made 101 appearances with two saves in his three seasons with New York.

Marinaccio spent most of 2025 in the San Diego Padres system at El Paso. He started the 2026 season with the Padres. He had a 1-0 record and 4.79 ERA in 33 games covering 47 innings.

The Pirates obtained Marinaccio for cash considerations on July 23. He pitched in four games and 5 1/3 innings with a 6.75 ERA, including his last appearance on August 2 against the Reds. He gave up two runs in two innings in two hits and a walk.

Marinaccio was suspended by MLB for intentionally hitting Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunner Henderson with a pitch on June 13. He served two games.

The Pirates needed roster space after adding pitching at the trade deadline.

 

Two Pitches Doom Reds In DC

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds offense was reflective of the season. Missed chances while watching the victorious Washington Nationals turn two pitches into all third runs in a 5-3 win.

 Daylen Lile of Louisville Trinity High School turned a Chase Petty pitch into a three run home run in the first inning. CJ Abrams singled to start the bottom of the first for Washington. With one out Brady House grounded a potential double play ball toward Elly De La Cruz. Instead of gloving it and attempting an inning ending double play, it crawled up his left arm and leaked into center to put Abrams to third. Lile, who has now hit four of his career 24 home runs against the Reds in just six games, put the Nationals on top.

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

 The Reds had chances but all their offense came from solo home runs by Eugenio Suarez, his 15th in the second inning. Matt McLain homered for the second game in a row, his 10th of the season. De La Cruz’ 20th immediately followed to tie the score.

The Reds have scored seven runs the last two games on solo home runs.

Hector Rodriguez doubled to right center with two outs in the fourth for his first big league hit. Noelvi Marte struck out.

Julian Garcia took over for Petty. Like doublced and catcher Harry Ford hit his second home run of the season to put the Nationals up 5-3.

The Reds put runners on with on out in the fifth. McLain doubled off  starter Cade Cavali and De La Cruz walked. Sal Stewart, who is one RBI behind Abrams for the MLB RBI lead, grounded into a double play.

In the seventh the Reds started strong. Marte opened the inning with a single. He stole second, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a slow roller to third. House and Cavalli had no play. It put runners on first and third, with no outs. Yovanny Cruz relieved Cavalli. McLain struck out. De La Cruz walked to load the bases. Stewart grounded the ball up the middle. The Nationals turned an inning ending double play.

Luis Mey and Zack McCambley shut down the Nationals to give the Reds a chance.

Orlando Ribalta pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for Washington. Clayton Beeter matched him in the ninth for his 12th save.

 

Hunter Greene Surgery Ends Season

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Hunter Greene was examined by Dr. Neal EllAttrache on Thursday night. 

He was the surgeon who removed the bone chips from Greene’s elbow on March 11. He returned just before the All-Star break and made five starts. The 

 Greene felt pain in the elbow on and off since his return. He reported pain after throwing a side on Tuesday in preparation for his scheduled start on Thursday. 

Dr. Timothy Kremchek performed an MRI but Greene flew to Los Angeles to get his elbow re examined by Dr. EllAtrache Thursday night.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall, told reporters at Nationals Park of the surgery.

Krall told them,”You never know how the bone chips affect the ligament. It could have happened on the ramp up. It could also have started way back then.”

Greene had surgery at 19 two years after the Reds made him the first pick of the 2017 draft. He misses 2019 and 2020 completely.

He has missed time every year since his entry into the Major Leagues on April 10, 2022 against Atlanta.

The Reds locked him up in April 2023 with a contract extension through 2028 with a team option for 2029.

Greene made 22 starts in 2022, 24 in 2023 and 26 in 2024. The last two seasons he was limited to 19 in 2025 and five this season.

Reds Ambush A's With Four Home Runs Andrew Abbott Quiets A's

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Elly De La Cruz opened the game with his 19th home run of the season against Athletics' starter Mason Barnett. Three Reds teammates followed up to sweep the Athletics with a 6-5 triumph. The sweep of the Athletics was reminiscent of the 1990 World Series sweep of the A's.

It was the fourth time, De La Cruz homered to open a game.

Sal Stewart, Tyler Stephenson and JJ Bleday followed De La Cruz' lead.

"Well early we had three solos (home runs). I think we had four hits and three home runs to get us tied, which is good," Terry Francona said. "We got into their bullpen and needed to tack on a run. It ended up being huge that Bleday hit his home run."

Andrew Abbott faced the minimum nine batters in the first three innings. Tommy White singled in the first but Jonah Heim hit into a double play.

The Athletics assaulted Abbott in the fourth inning. Henry Bolte singled and White singled for the second time to put runners at the corner. Heim walked to load the bases. Tyler Soderstrom singled to plate two runs. Max Muncy singled to left field to load the bases. Lawrence Butler hit a ground ball to second baseman Matt McLain who fed De La Cruz at second. The relay was deemed late by first base umpire Jonathan Parra. The Reds challenged and the call was overturned resulting in a double play. Brian Severn flied out to end the inning.

Sal Stewart belted his 25th home run leading off the bottom of the fourth. It put him alone on a list headed by Frank Robinson with 38 home runs as a rookie. He passed Joey Votto, who also had 24. He is also one short of the Major League lead for RBI with 87. CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals, who starts the day with 88.I

"It was funny," Francona said. "Before Sal went to the plate he asked if I wanted to take a pitch (to make sure Abbott had time to rest after the three-run inning). I said no, I want you to hit it into the right field stands. He hit it to left center. I told him you never listen to any body."

Tyler Stephenson hit his 10th home run of the season one out later to tie the score, 3-3.

The Reds like in the first game of the series, when two wild pitches provided the winning run, the A's pitcher's wildness put the Reds in the lead. McLain was hit by Barnett to start the inning. De La Cruz popped out. McLain stole second but couldn't score on Stewart's single that was hit hard right at Soderstrom in left field. Barnett walked JJ Bleday to fill the bases. Mark Kotsay, the Athletics manager brought in Elvis Alvarado. Alvarado struck out Stephenson looking but walked Eugenio Suarez and Dane Myers to give the Reds a 5-3 lead. 

Abbott got the first two outs in the seventh inning but Jonathan Ornelas singled to right. Pierce Johnson got Bolte to line back to the mound.

"I think he pitched really well. When the starters get that deep in the game and could have gone on," Francona said. "I think he could have gone on. I just wanted to make sure that if we brought in Pierce (Johnson) we had (Sam) Moll for Soderstrom. When your starting pitchers go that deep you can start to match up."

Abbott pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four.

"I knew we had an impending bullpen day," Abbott said. "I said let me go ahead and start against these guys. There are more favorable match ups with all their left handed hitters. I wanted to give the bullpen as much of a break as possible. It's tough throwing a night game at 6:40 and throwing a day game at 12:40. I told Tito. I'm ready to go. It is a normal five day rest for me. I don't need six."

Bleday tortured his teammates from last season with his 20th home run of the season. It came against Seth Johnson, who the A's got in exchange for Colby Thomas on Monday. His home run proved important as the A's scored two meaningless runs in the ninth inning against Brock Burke, in his team leading 58th appearance.

Bleday was not tendered a contract by the Athletics after last season. He signed with the Reds as a non roster player and started the season at Louisville.

"There is always going to be nerves, awkwardness whatever you want to call it," Bleday said. "Well I am happy to be a Red now. I wake up and thank God every day."

With one out Butler hit a slow ground ball over the mound that De La Cruz scooped on the run. His throw was wide and the throwing error put Butler on second. Backup catcher Brian Serven hit his second home run into the left field stands to make it a one-run game. 

The runs broke Burke's personal streak of 12 scoreless appearances.

He rallied to get Alika Williams on another slow roller to De La Cruz. This time it was scooped by Stewart. Burke struck out Ornelas to record his second save of the year.

Reds Bolster Bullpen With Waiver Picks

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds claimed RHP Ron Marinaccio from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marinaccio faced the Reds in the last series.

The also claimed RHP Chase Solesky from the Tampa Bay Rays and optioned him to Triple A Louisville. 

The Reds placed outfielder Blake Dunn on the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the roster.

The Reds will make a corresponding move with Marinaccion when he arrives. The Reds are planning a bullpen day on Friday to cover for Hunter Greene's absence.

 

Reds Schedule Pitching Around Hunter Greene's Absence

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Hunter Greene will be examined in Los Angeles later today about 3:30 pm (pct) by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Greene was scheduled to start the final game of the three-game series against the Athletics on Thursday (080626).

Andrew Abbott was moved up a day.

On Friday the Reds will have a bullpen day with Luis Mey being the opener.

"That's what he's been doing in Louisville," Terry Francona said.

Mey has started one game among 32 appearances. He has no record and a 3.86 ERA over 37 1/3 innings with 26 walks and 51 strikeouts.

Nick Lodolo pitched 4 1/3 innings for Louisville on Wednesday. He threw 65 pitches in giving up three earned runs. He will get the start on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.

Brandon Williamson on the injured list since April with fatigue in his left shoulder was sent to Louisville for another rehab assignment.

He pitched two innings for Chattanooga against the Birmingham Barons on Sunday. Williamson gave up no runs and no hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 39 pitches, 22 for strikes.

The Reds are also close to getting bullpen aces, Graham Ashcraft and Tony Santillan back. Santillan will pitch to live hitters when the team in Washington and they will see where he is after that.

 

Reds Edge Hopeless, Homeless A's

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Although the Athletics left handed starter Jacob Lopez did a great impression of ancient A's pitcher from 100 years and three cities ago, Lefty Grove, the Reds got enough offense to win 3-2.

Noelvi Marte singled stole, stole second and drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly.

"When you pitch like we did, those are meaningful runs," Terry Francona said. "Their guy came out and struck out eight out of nine guys. He changed speeds. We were in kind of a rocking chair but we did enough."

Lawrence Butler homered deep into the right field seats off Rhett Lowder to lead off the game. It was Butler's seventh home run of the season and it was the eighth time in his career that Butler led off a  game with a home run.

"When he gave up a home run to the first hitter and the second guy hit the ball pretty good but he gathered himself," Francona said.

Butler has seven home runs in 32 at bats against the Reds, lifetime. He hit seven each against the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers but those teams play the A's often in the American League West.

Jacob Lopez struck out the side in the Reds' first inning and struck out three in the second inning but in between the strikeouts, Marte singled into the hole at short and stole second. Jose Trevino found the same hole for a run scoring single.

Lopez finished with nine strikeouts, one short of his career high.

Matt McLain hit his ninth home run of the season with two outs in the fifth to put the Reds ahead, 2-1. It was his first home run since June 7, when he hit two against the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis.

"He's such a good defender, if he can chip in a little bit. He's strong enough to go the other way," Francona said. 

The A's got the run back in the top of the sixth. Tyler Soderstrom, who walked in both of his first at bats, singled. He was running on a 3-2 pitch to Jonah Heim as he doubled down the right field line to tie the score.

The Reds took the lead back against Hayden Juenger. Sal Stewart hit a ball back to the mound. Juenger knocked it down but Stewart beat a wide throw to first. Dane Myers singled to right to send Stewart to third. Eugenio Suarez struck out for the third time but Marte got Stewart home with a fly to right. Left hander Jose Suarez relieved Juenger. He balked to send Myers to second.

Brock Burke relieved Lowder, who pitched six innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out three. Burke threw 18 pitches.Tejay Antone got both batters he faced on six pitches. Emilio Pagan earned his 13th save on 13 pitches. In his last eight games he has two wins and six saves.

"I had to flip my mindset a little bit. I've had some good starts and some really bad ones," Lowder said. "When you're not really helping the team win, you want to try to be perfect. You're not going to dig yourself out of the hole and trying to be perfect puts too much pressure on yourself. Now I'm going out there and trying to pitch quality innings."

"If we can keep our bullpen from being over used, we have a chance to be good. We've had to struggle with that. That's not their fault. They've been used a lot but Burke had two days off. That doesn't happen a lot," Francona said.

 

Hunter Greene Back On The Injured List

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Two hours before the game with the Athletics the Reds placed Hunter Greene on the injured list retroactive to August 2 and recalled Luis Mey from Triple A Louisville.

Greene made five starts since returning from rehab for the removal of bone spurs in March.

He was 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA in thoses starts. His last was on July 31st against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings.

Andrew Abbott will start the game against the Athletics on Thursday afternoon.

Greene had an MRI today at Beacon Orthopedics today and will be examined by his personal doctor Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, according to Nick Krall the Reds' President of Baseball Operations.

 

Wounded Reds Rehabbing For Stretch Run

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Blake Dunn is finished for the season. He had an internal brace put into his right elbow. It means he will be lost for six months which would be close to ready for spring training.

Dunn has missed 31 games already. The Reds are 15-16 in games, he's missed.

Nick Lodolo made a rehab start in St. Paul Minnesota for the Louisville Bats. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. He threw 65 pitches, 37 for strikes.

Lodolo was placed on the injured list for the second time July 12.with a blister on his left index finger

Graham Ashcraft, sprained UCL in his right elbow, threw 20-25 pitches in a side session in Goodyear, Arizona. "He did well," Terry Francona said. "He will throw another one, then a live, then here on Monday and will do the same thing."

He has been on the 60-day injured list since, May 29. He missed 57 games to date. The Reds are 25-32 in that span.

Tony Santillan threw a 25-pitch side at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday (080526). He is down with a left oblique strain. Santillan was placed on the injured list on June 23, missing 33 games (17-16).

Spencer Steer's right wrist is tentatively to be rechecked on Monday. Steer was placed on the injured list hoping rest would help it heal. The examination will determine if rest is working or the he would need surgery. He was placed on the injured list on July 27 and missed eight games (5-3).

 

Wild Pitches Wild Win

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Dateline: Cincinnati 

Dodging the trade deadline, Brady Singer, turned in a quality start as the Reds took advantage of two walks and three wild pitches to turn a deficit into a one-run win, 5-4 against the hapless, homeless Athletics.

It was the A's sixth straight loss and it was gift wrapped for the Reds.

Left hander, Hogan Harris walked Elly De La Cruz to open the eighth holding a one-run lead and walked Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. He struck out JJ Bleday but when Tyler Stephenson flied out to Lawrence Butler in medium right De La Cruz dashed for third. Stewart had to hold but when Harris had to glove a wide throw, Stewart took second. Eugenio Suarez was at the plate and Harris threw a wild pitch that allowed De La Cruz to tie the score. The extra base by Stewart was crucial for when ball four got away from catcher Jonah Heim, Stewart dived home with the winning run.

"Sometimes you catch a break but when you do little things correctly, when you do little things it matters," Terry Francona said. "The whole idea that the play is never over. When you preach that to everybody, it doesn't reward you every time but when you do it enough, you get rewarded for it."

This is what Stewart saw.

"I honestly thought Elly was going to bluff," Stewart said. "When he took off I said I can't go because they would cut it off and throw me out at second. When the ball got through and got to the pitcher, (Jeff) McNeil was there but it was a far throw to the pitcher. I was kind of half way. I saw the pitcher with his head down. I thought he thought they called time but never called time on the field so I just took off."

Ivan Johnson ran for Suarez and he moved up when Elvis Alvarado relieved Harris and threw another wild pitch.

The A's got a run in the fourth inning against Reds' starter Brady Singer. Tyler Soderstrom doubled to open the inning. Jeff McNeill's second single of the game scored Soderstrom.

The Reds put two runners on base in the first inning on singles by Sal Stewart and JJ Bleday but Tyler Stephenson hit into a double play against Athletic's starter JT Ginn. They stranded two in the fourth inning. Bleday walked and Eugenio Suarez singled but Dane Myers lined out to Lawrence Butler in right.

The Athletics added two runs in the fifth. Donovan Watson walked. Henry Bolte singled. Butler hit a one hop ground ball to Stewart at first. The throw to second retired Bolte but Singer slipped covering first for the relay. Butler stole second and Jacob Wilson doubled both runners home.

The Reds tied the game against Ginn in the bottom of the fifth. New Red Hector Rodriguez walked Matt McLain doubled to right. Elly De La Cruz plated them both with a single and took second on the throw. De La Cruz took third on a wild pitch and Stewart lined out to right to drive in his Major League leading, 86th run.

Singer completed the sixth inning and left the game. He gave up three runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out six.

"I'm glad he's here," Francona said. "When I heard Nick (Krall) and Brad (Meador) talk about him I knew he would feel good. I told Brady that."

On his 30th birthday, Singer notched his seventh quality start. Once among the Major League leader in home runs allowed, Singer has allowed just two on his last six games.

"I'm going to go home and get some good sleep for sure. It was definitely tiring yesterday," said Singer who watched over the trade deadline, thinking he might be on another team. "You get to the deadline and realize, you got to go pitch tomorrow. I felt fine the night before but yesterday, I started stressing out. I'm happy I didn't have to move and I'm still here competing with these guys."

The A's took a lead with Sam Moll pitching on a throwing error by De La Cruz. Bolte singled with two outs and stole second. Butler grounded to short. De La Cruz' throw was in the dirt. Stewart had it pop out of his glove and Bolte kept running to put the Athletics in the lead. 

Julian Garcia pitched a quick scoreless eighth. 

Emilio Pagan was asked to nail down the win. Tommy White flied out to right field. Alika Williams hit a ground ball to shortstop and he was ruled safe on a close play. The Reds challenged but it went for an infield hit. Max Muncy flied out to left but Henry Bolte hit his second single of the game. Butler struck out swinging on a 1-2 pitch to give Pagan his 12th save in 15 chances.

Reds Restock Roster With Top Prospect

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds lost two players at the trade deadline, Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson left the roster, the Reds recalled Chase Petty and Hector Rodriguez, a 22-year old left handed hitting outfielder.

The Reds acquired Rodriguez at the trade deadline in 2022, sending Tyler Naquin to the New York Mets.

Rodriguez was enjoying his best professional season at Triple A Louisville. In 104 games, Rodriguez was slashing .274/.347/.533 with 16 doubles, four triples, 27 home runs and 69 RBI. He had six stolen bases in eight tries. He walked 42 times and struck out 93 times. Rodriguez has six minor league seasons and slashed .287/.339/.533 totalling 108 doubles, 35 triples, 80 home runs and 297 RBI.

"We've been trying to figure out at times, how to get him here," Terry Francona said. "The last thing you want to do is bring up a prospect kid and then you don't have a way to play him. He will play some right. He will play some left. We want to see how he looks out there. He will probably DH. That's why moving (Nathaniel) Lowe to Cleveland as much as we liked what he did for us, this allows us to get a good look at Hector."

The Reds number three prospect has played all three outfield positions mostly right field 55 and left field 28 but has three games in center field. Rodriguez has been working on his defense and claims to be more comfortable.

"My offense is my strongest part," Rodriguez said. "I'm going to be doing early work like I've been doing in Louisville. They made me an outfielder. I didn't have the confidence but now I feel good." 

The Reds hope Rodriguez is able to replace Lowe's left handed bat.

"PK (Louisville manager Pat Kelly) said he's been working hard. He's been a really good worker and he's improved dramatically. You come here, the game is faster, which we know. I just told him try to do the right thing. Play the game right and if you have a question just ask us."

Petty was sent back to Louisville this weekend but returns to fill the bullpen void left by Ferguson's departure.

"We told him when he left that he probably needed a couple days but don't go to far. Throw a side, but don't get on the plane to St. Paul," Francona said.

It was at the Louisville airport getting ready to board the plane to play the St. Paul Saints in the International League that Rodriguez got the call to the big leagues.

"I didn't believe it. They told me before I was getting on the airplane and I did not believe it," Rodriguez said through interpreter, Tomas Vera. "The first thing I did was call mom and dad. They were really happy."

The Reds Trade Nathaniel Lowe And Caleb Ferguson

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds traded Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson, two players who were signed as free agents. 

Lowe was  signed on February 14 to a free agent contract. He played 83 games for the Reds as a first baseman and DH. He was slashing .266/.341/.480 with 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 37 RBI.

 He will play out this season with the Cleveland Guardians who sent young right hander Alejandro Rivera to the Reds from the Arizona Complex League. Rivera was signed as a 17-year old in 2024. He made 12 appearances including eight starts. He is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA. He’s walked 16 in 48 innings while striking out 70.

The Guardians sent infielder Juan Brito, who they designated for assignment after 15 games with a .176 average with four doubles. He played 83 games at Triple A Columbus. He is hitting .237 with 19 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 48 RBI.

Left hander Caleb Ferguson signed a free agent contract on December 18. He started the season on the injured list. He returned in late May. 

The Reds sent him to the St. Louis Cardinals for $250,000 in foreign player pool money.

Ferguson appeared in 26 games, starting one against the Cleveland Guardians last week as an opener.

He is 1-0 with one save with a 4.01 ERA.

 

Chase Burns Chases Rain, Chases Pirates, Chased A Rainbow

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The "Franchise" Chase Burn must have thought he was pitching for the Toledo Mud Hens. The rain drifting over the hills in Northern Kentucky brought heavy rain and the umpiring crew was determined to get through it, since this was the last meeting between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, who have already played in two double headers since July 10 and four extra inning games.

By the end of the game the field was drenched in sunshine with Burns celebrating his 13th win as the Reds rain 10 hits upon Mitch Keller and the Pirates in a 10-2 win.

Super rookie, Sal Stewart, got the Reds off to a quick start by launching a Keller pitch into the upper deck in left field.

It was his 25th home run tying Joey Votto for the second highest home run total by a rookie. He tied CJ Abrams at the top of the Major League leader board with 85 RBI. He is third on the Reds rookie list behind Jim Greengrass 100 in 1953 and Spencer Steer's 86 in 2023.

The Reds weren't finished with Keller. JJ Bleday banged a single to right. Tyler Stephenson double over the head of center fielder, Jhostynxon Garcia for an RBI double. He scored on Nathaniel Lowe's single. Stephenson is hitting .365 since June 26 with eight doubles and two home runs.

On top of everything else, Reds players who become free agents after the season are watching TV and social media to see if they are involved in trades as the Major League trade deadline pops up Monday 6:00 pm eastern time.

Stephenson, Brady Singer and Eugenio Suarez are in that boat as the rains soaked the playing surface.

Ke'Bryan Hayes belted his fourth home run of the season, leading off the second inning.

With a steady rain falling, Lowe doubled to lead off the third. Keller walked Dane Myers and Noelvi Marte. Matt McLain delivered a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Lowe. Reliever Noah Murdoch threw a wild pitch. Elly De La Cruz singled to push the Reds advantage to 7-0.

Chase Burns faced nine batters in the first three innings. He walked leadoff hitter, Jake Mangum but Stephenson threw him out stealing. Burns hit Mangum leading off the fourth inning. Brandon Lowe hit a one hop ground ball to McLain at second. He knocked it down but couldn't get the lead runner. Bryan Reynolds got the first Pirate's hit with a line single to center to drive in Mangum.

The ground crew was working on the field while Pirates' manager Don Kelly was arguing with umpire crew chief Dan Bellino. Kelly was ejected. The Pirates have one out, a runner on first with a 2-2 count on cleanup hitter, Esmerlyn Valdez.

"It sucked," Burns said. "It was raining constantly and not knowing whether we would continue to play or not. They just asked me if I could go back out and I said, yeah. This is probably the first time, I've pitched in conditions like that. Usually, they stop the game. 

Valdez walked. Burns struck out Spencer Horwitz and took a force at second on a comeback by Nick Gonzales.

"I thought when he went back out there his stuff kicked up a notch," Terry Francona said. "Velocity kicked up. His demeanor was like he was really into it. That was good to see. We kind of counted it (the delay) like it was one inning. When he got up to 80 something pitches we thought that was enough. He pitched like an ace."

As to limiting innings since he has pitched more innings than he ever has in a season before. He pitched 100 innings in his last college season at Wake Forest. He pitched 115 2/3 last season, his first as a professional and he has 118 2/3 innings this year.

"We want to get him to a certain point, too," Francona said. "We don't want to be messing around next year thinking we didn't get him far enough. As long as he's healthy and he looked just fine."

The Reds added two runs against Ron Marinaccio. Bleday walked for the second time. Nathaniel Lowe hit his second double and third hit of the game to score Bleday. Myers doubled down the third base line to score Lowe with the Reds' ninth run.

Burns struck out Garcia for his 200th career strikeout in the fifth inning. Burns struck out the last five batters he faced including the side in his final inning. His line was six innings, giving up one run on two hits, two walks and a hit batter. He collected nine strikeouts and dropped his season ERA to 2.35.

The Pirates scored a run against Tejay Antone on a double by Jacob Gonzalez and single by Jared Triolo.

Stephenson hit his ninth home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth off Camilio Doval in his first game with the Pirates after a trade with the New York Yankees.

Fully aware that he is high on the trade watch list circled the bases thinking it may have been his last at bat as a Red.

"There are a lot of emotions so, yeah it was on my mind," Stephenson said. "It was a cool moment. This team has been playing really well. The first half of the season didn't go as we really hoped. Post All-Star break we played with energy. It has been a fun group and are playing really well."

Chase Burns Continues Break Out Season Against The Pirates

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds send newly signed franchise pitcher, Chase Burns, puts his 12-1 record with a 2.40 ERA on the line against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday (080226).

Burns is at the top of Major League baseball with 12 wins, third in baseball with just one loss. and ERA at 2.40 is fourth in 20 starts. He is sixth in MLB in batting average against at .207.

His last start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians, an error led to a grand slam by Kyle Manzardo, all runs were unearned. He pitched five innings, allowed five runs, one earned on five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Burns is 1-0 with a 2.08 in five career starts against Pittsburgh. His last outing he was charged with five earned runs in six innings on nine hits. He struck out a career-high tying 10 batters, matching 10 strikeouts, also against the Pirates on August 8, 2025. The Reds came back to win that game, 9-7.

The Pirates will send veteran Mitch Keller and his 6-7 4.83 ERA in 21 starts. He has allowed 10 runs in 19 1/3 innings in four July starts. His last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 27, Keller pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out four.

Keller has volumes of experience against the Reds. He is 5-6 with a 5.25 ERA in 21 starts. This season he is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA against the Reds. He beat the Reds on May 1 with seven innings of one run baseball on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts. In his last start on June 28, he won an 9-4 decision in which he gave up four runs, three earned in six innings on five hits and a walk. He struck out four.

Reds lineup:

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart 1B

JJ Bleday LF

Tyler Stephenson C

Nathaniel Lowe DH

Dane Myers CF

Noelvi Marte RF

Matt McLain 2B

Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B

Pirates Lineup

Jake Mangum LF

Brandon Lowe 2B

Bryan Reynolds DH

Esmerlyn Valdez RF

Spencer Horwitz 1B

Nick Gonzales 3B

Endy Rodriguez C

Jacob Gonzalez SS

Jhostynxon Garcia CF

Pirates Walk Away With A Soggy Win

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Andrew Abbott suffered through rain when he was on the mound.

He made it through the first two innings, scoreless. The third inning, he was like a drowning man. He walked the nine hole hitter, Henry Davis, the first batter of the inning. Jake Mangum grounded his second hit of the game, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez walked in succession to plate two runs. Nick Gonzales hit a soft ground ball to Matt McLain at second base. He tagged Valdez as Lowe scored. 

Abbott got to three balls on Marcel Ozuna but got him to foul out to catcher Jose Trevino. Jared Triolo flied out to end the inning.

"He lost the plate and a majority of it down. They came out and fixed the mound which we appreciate. It just snowballed," Terry Francona said. "I give him a lot of credit because we had somebody up in the third. That would have been disastrous for us. And when he left we still had a chance to win." 

Abbott threw 43 pitches in the inning, 21 for strikes.

Pirates' starter, Braxton Ashcraft, walked one batter in the first three innings.

Jose Trevino hit his fourth home run of the season, leading off the fifth inning to put the Reds on the scoreboard.

Abbott finished with five innings, allowing three runs on three hits, but five walks. He struck out one batter. Lasting that long saved a bullpen arm for the Reds, giving them a better chance on Sunday.

"Everybody knows it was wet. We tried to fix it but when it rains again it is going to do the same thing," Abbott said. "It's not an excuse. Fighting through it, I was able to get out of it with three runs. Every thing was wet, the glove was wet, the ball coming from the umpire was wet. I'm looking down and you see water fall from my cap. I made a complete uniform change and it didn't matter it would just pick up at certain points. Turning the page I was at least able to go through five and get some kind of length."

Zack McCambley started the sixth inning for the Reds.

Ozuna doubled to greet McCambley. He made it to third with two outs. Davis dumped a single in front of TJ Friedl in center.

Rain delayed the game before the bottom of the sixth. The delay lasted one hour, 46 minutes.

Carmen Mlodzinski entered after the delay.

The Reds wasted a leadoff double in the seventh inning. Mlodzinski retired the last six batters he faced to complete three scoreless innings.

Sam Moll pitched a scoreless seventh and Julian Garcia completed a scoreless eighth.

Andrew Abbott Takes On Bucs For Third Time

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Andrew Abbott will get the ball on Saturday (080126) with the purpose of continuing the Reds series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the winning path.

Abbott is 3-6 with a 3.85 ERA in 22 starts.

The 27-year old left hander has three quality starts in his last five over which he has a 3.66 ERA (11 runs in 27 innings). Abbott pitched six innings against St. Louis in his last start on July 26. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks. He struck out four.

Abbott is 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates. He has two starts against them this season. On April 1, he pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks. Oneil Cruz hit a three-run home run off him in the first inning. Abbott started a game in Pittsburgh on June 26. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits and a walk. Konnor Griffin, Marcel Ozuna and Esmerlyn Valdez hit home runs off him.

Braxton Ashcraft, a 26-year old right hander will pitch for the Pirates. He was the Pirates second round pick in 2018 out of Robinson High School in Robinson, Texas. 

Ashcraft is 10-4 with a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts. He is 3-1 in his last five starts but only pitched six full innings in two of them. His ERA over the period is 7.71 with 22 earned runs in 25 2/3 innings. In his last start against the Chicago Cubs, he gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. The start before that on July 20, the New York Yankees scored seven runs off him in three innings. He allowed nine hits and a walk.

Ashcraft has a 0-2 record but a paltry 2.11 ERA in four starts. He lost a 2-0 decision to the Reds on March 30 with six innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks. He pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over Chase Burns on May 3 in Pittsburgh. He gave up four hits and two walks. Gregory Soto took the win over Tony Santillan.

The Reds lineup:

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart DH

JJ Bleday LF

Nathaniel Lowe 1B

Noelvi Marte RF

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Jose Trevino C

TJ Friedl CF

Matt McLain 2B

Pirates Lineup:

Jake Mangum CF

Brandon Lowe 2B

Bryan Reynolds LF

Esmerlyn Valdez RF

Nick Gonzales 3B

Marcel Ozuna DH

Jared Triolo SS

Rafael Flores Jr. 1B

Henry Davis C

Sal Stewart Homers And Drives In Four Runs To Keel Hole Pirates

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Dateline: Cincinnati   

The Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a see-saw game, 8-7.

Momentum shifted three times in a drama filled game, that ilustrated the ups and downs of baseball. Sal Stewart hit into two double plays but hit a two-run home run off reigning Cy Young Award winner and tied the game in the eighth after his team fell behind.

His 84 RBIs on the season allowed the rookie to take the Major League lead over CJ Abrams.

The tale of two double plays dominated the first innings between pitching aces, Hunter Greene for Cincinnati and Paul Skenes for Pittsburgh.

Brandon Lowe dumped a single in front of Noelvi Marte in right field with one out in the first inning. It appeared that Reds' boogy man, Bryan Reynolds hit into a double play but second baseman Matt McLain bobbled it and Reynolds beat the relay rather than becoming the third out of the inning. Esmerlyn Valdez walked. Ryan O'Hearn hit a one hop ground ball to Sal Stewart at first base. Greene was late covering and Stewart lost the foot race to the bag. The infield hit loaded the bases. Nick Gonzales extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a two-run single.

"Hunter was late getting over," Terry Francona said.

Conversely, the Pirates turned a double play to limit damage against Skenes as the Reds tied the game.

"We really did a good job getting his pitch count up," Francona said.

Elly De La Cruz walked. Stewart hit a sharp one hopper to short that Jacob Gonzalez turned into a double play. JJ Bleday walked with two outs and the bases empty. Tyler Stephenson doubled down the left field line. Bleday stumbled around second but scored. Nathaniel Lowe lashed a single to right. Stephenson, not known for his speed chugged for home. Valdez throw was cut off by Endy Rodriguez, a catcher playing first base to get his bat in the lineup, cut off the throw home when the had a chance to get Stephenson.

Skenes threw 36 pitches in the inning.

Jake Magnum lined his third home run just inside the foul pole and just high enough to get out of the field of play.

Bleday hit his 19th home run of the season to tie the game in the third inning. It was the first time in eight starts, 41 1/3 innings, covering 150 at bats that a Reds player homered against Skenes. The Reds loaded the bases with two outs but Marte struck out. Skenes pitch count ballooned to 81 through three innings.

De La Cruz tripled to the right centerfield gap to put the lead run 90 feet away. That distance proved to be superfluous when Stewart crushed the first pitch, 409 feet to the berm in center. His 23rd home run netted his 81st and 82nd RBI, equalling for the moment. the total of the Major League lead. 

Abrams hit a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves to retake the lead until Stewart's eighth inning heroics.

The Pirates came back with an inning opening double by Lowe, an infield single in the hole at short by Reynolds. A fly ball to right off the bat of Valdez, to cut the lead to 5-4. 

Greene left with the lead and completed six innings in the showdown between the young aces. He allowed four runs on seven hits, two walks and a four strikeouts. 

"I felt like I was making pitches. They had three or four hits that were under miles an hour. I was in attack mode," Greene said. "This game has adversity all over it. It's my job to take manage it."

The Pirates took the lead in the eighth. Caleb Ferguson started the inning. He got the first batter but Gonzales and Rodriguez singled to put runners at the corners. Henry Davis tied the game with a single. He struck out pinch hitter, Jared Triolo but Mangum and Lowe grounded singles through the infield to put the Pirates ahead 7-5.

"We kept coming back. That's a good feeling. There was a lot going on in that game and if they don't keep it up, we probably don't win," Terry Francona said. 

Noelvi Marte led off the eighth against Wilber Dotel with a ground single to left. McLain shot a single to right to put runners at the corner with no outs. Dotel struck out De La Cruz but Stewart took the RBI lead with a single to the gap in right center and took second on the throw to tie the game. Bleday faced Mason Montgomery and grounded out to shortstop sending Stewart to third. Stephenson was walked intentionally to set up left on left with Nathaniel Lowe. He bounced to Gonzales at third but second baseman Brandon Lowe took his eye off the ball, Stewart scored the go ahead run and Stephenson went to third N. Lowe to second. Ivan Johnson ran for him but former Pirate, Ke'Bryan Hayes struck out.

Emilio Pagan came on to nail down the game. He got a fly out by Valdez, fell behind O'Hearn 3-0 but he was swinging 3-0 and grounded out. O'Hearn was hurt running it out. Gonzales was hit with a 1-1 pitch just to add drama but Rodriguez was called out on a 3-2 pitch that he challenged. The call was confirmed to give Pagan his 12th save in 15 chances.

The Pirates lost for the fourth time in a row for a record of 55-56. The Reds won for the ninth time since the All-Star Break for a 52-57 record.

Nick Lodolo Uses New Grip In Live BP Tony Santillan And Graham Ashcraft Progress

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Nick Lodolo used 50 pitches to test his new grip on his breaking ball.

Lodolo's problems with blisters is well documented he has missed time the last two years. He developed a blister on the last start of spring training. He didn't start the season until May 8. He made 12 starts before another blister landed him on the injured list on July 27 retroactive to July 12.

The Reds started working on a new grip which he used in a live batting practice against TJ Friedl, Jose Trevino and Ivan Johnson.

"I threw it a pretty good amount," Lodolo said. "It is certainly something that I'm excited about. If you asked me a week ago about making an adjustment, I'd say it was huge. I feel a lot better with it, now that I've been throwing it. It is not an earth shattering difference. Throwing it for a strike is the biggest thing. Actually, I threw a lot of them for strikes."

Elsewhere Tony Santillan got a scan on his left oblique strain that put him on the injured list on June 16. 

"It was very good," Terry Francona said. "He is going to be throwing a side here soon. It's an expedited recovery program. We don't want to slow him down. We also don't want him to reaggravate it. That is going to be difficult because he wants to pitch. I really think it helps guys recover. He's really been competing. I think there is something to be said for that.

Santillan pitched in 80 games last season. This season due to nagging aches and pain, he is down to 34 games. Last season after 107 team games Santillan made 53 appearances.

Brock Burke, who has appeared in 55 games, to pick up the slack. Burke pitched a scoreless inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday (073026). It was his 10th consecutive scoreless outing since July 10.

Graham Ashcraft will throw a bullpen in Arizona on Tuesday (080426). He will have another in Cincinnati when the Reds come off their next road trip. 

He has been on the injured list since May 29 with a sprained UCL on his right elbow. Ashcraft appears to have avoided surgery.

Nathaniel Lowe Beats A Pirates' Relay To Send The Reds Home Winners

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds were 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position so it was appropriate that Nathaniel Lowe drove in the winning run without a hit. The Reds loaded the bases with one out and Lowe beat out a relay for an attempted double play to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 to open a four-game series.

Elly De La Cruz walked and hit three doubles, stealing two bases to give him 20 on the season, drove in a run and scored two including the winning marker.

The Pirates used an opener in Yohan Ramirez, who pitched two scoreless innings before turning the game over to Hunter Barco.

While Reds starter, Rhett Lowder, gave up two harmless singles to the hard hitting Pirates in the first four innings.

Pittsburgh entered the game with the most hits in baseball, coming in at 985 and the second most runs scored at 563. Only the Washington Nationals with 596 runs have scored more.

Barco was greeted with a single from Matt McLain in his first game back from the injured list with a strained left calf. Elly De La Cruz lined a double to the gap in left center and McLain scored from first. Sal Stewart drove in his 80 run of the season with a line single to right.

Lowder had one of his worst starts of the season against the Pirates at PNC Park on May 2. He got just four outs and gave up eight runs on five hits and four walks in a 17-7 loss.

Nick Gonzales, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games in his first at bat, doubled to start the fifth. Endy Rodriguez singled to center with Gonzales stopping at third. Jacob Gonzalez drove the runner home with a fly to center.

De La Cruz doubled for the second time to lead off the fifth and stole third with one out. He was stranded there.

Brandon Lowe tied the game with his 23rd home run leading off the sixth inning.

The Reds had another good chance against Noah Murdoch in the bottom of the sixth. Eugenio Suarez walked and Dane Myers singled to open the inning but Noelvi Marte and McLain struck out. De La Cruz grounded out to shortstop.

Lowder pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out five.

Brock Burke entered in the seventh inning. It is his National League leading 55th appearance. He walked two and hit Jake Mangum to load the bases with two outs. He struck out Lowe on a check swing to end the inning.

Stewart walked in the bottom of the seventh and with one out Tyler Stephenson had an infield hit to the hole at shortstop. Nathaniel Lowe walked to load the bases for Suarez, who hit into a double play.

The Reds were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position after the double play.

Tejay Antone started the eighth for the Reds. Esmerlyn Valdez doubled but Antone retired Ryan O'Hearn and Gonzales on fly outs to center.

The Reds went down in order against Mason Montgomery in the bottom of the eighth.

Reds' closer Emilio Pagan started the ninth with the bottom of the Pirates' order due up. Pagan gave up a two-out single to Jhostyxon Garcia but struck out Mangum.

Gregory Soto, the Pirates' closer started the ninth against Elly De La Cruz, who hit his third double of the game, leading off. The Pirates walked Stewart intentionally. Left handed hitting JJ Bleday was on to face the lefty Soto. Bleday struck out on a checked swing. Stephenson walked to load the bases. N. Lowe another left hander hit a high chop to a drawn in infield. Triolo, the shortstop gloved it but had no chance to get De La Cruz at the plate. He had to throw backwards to force Stephenson at second but the relay from Brandon Lowe was in no way in time to catch N. Lowe at first.

"When Soto is sinking the ball at 100, you just got to put it in play," N Lowe said. "Thankfully, I was able to. If I look back I probably wouldn't swing at that one but it won the game, so we'll take it."

Lowe was looking for a ball he could send to the outfield, knowing De La Cruz could score on one that wasn't that deep.'

"I was looking for a pitch up and didn't get one. I had to put something in play," Lowe said.

Even then, a frustrated Reds' offense stranded 12 base runners. They had nine hits and nine walks. They also had two base runners caught stealing.

Blake Dunn To Have Surgery Brandon Williamson And Nick Lodolo Updates

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Blake Dunn's right elbow was examined by Dr. Keith Meister and he will have surgery on Monday.

"They won't know what the surgery is until get in there, whether it's an internal brace or if they have to do the full "Tommy John" it will leak into next year," Terry Francona said.

Dunn was placed on the injured list on June 28 after he felt elbow discomfort in the elbow trying to make a throw on a sacrifice fly.

Brandon Williamson, who has been out since April 30 with left shoulder fatigue will pitch Saturday for Chattanooga at Birmingham on Saturday. He will be re evaluated then moved to Triple A Louisville.

Nick Lodolo will pitch possibly three ups and downs or maybe two on Friday (073126) to live hitters.

"He has a new grip on his breaking ball but we won't have him throw it each up and down," Frnacona said. "The other two will be fastball, changeup. We're trying to build him and not hurt him."