After five games without a home run, the Cincinnati Reds powered themselves to victory via the long ball.
After five games without a home run, the Cincinnati Reds powered themselves to victory via the long ball. Starting pitcher Nick Martinez held true to his recent form, too.
Tyler Stephenson hit his eighth home run of 2025 and T.J. Friedl put the game out of reach with his 10th homer of the campaign, a two-run shot, as the Reds took their series opener from the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-2, at Great American Ball Park on July 25 before a crowd of 30,110.
Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez picked up the win (9-9) for his five innings of two-run baseball. It was Martinez's fifth win in his last six starts.
Rays' pitcher Zack Littell dropped to 8-8 with the loss. He was just one of the Rays pitchers to get knocked around as Cincinnati collected 14 hits.
Friday's contest commenced a nine-game home stand for Cincinnati. During that period, MLB's trade deadline will arrive on July 31 at 6 p.m., the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will come to town, and the Reds will be considered the host team for the Aug. 2 Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway, the famed Tennessee auto racing venue.
There's also an ongoing playoff race. The win bolstered Cincinnati's standing in that and moved to within one game of the third National League Wild Card spot. Initially, the Reds were pushed forward against the Rays via a sudden power surge in their lineup.
Stephenson (2-for-4, three RBI) opened the scoring with a solo home run to right field. It was his eighth homer of 2025. That long ball marked the Reds' first home run since July 18 against the New York Mets. Cincinnati had four home runs in that game.
With the speedy Chandler Simpson on base, the Rays plated him to tie the game in their half of the third inning. Jonathan Aranda doubled to drive Simpson in.
In the fourth, Taylor Walls' double scored Christopher Morel to put the Rays in front.
Cincinnati responded by twice loading the bases in the bottom of the inning and reclaiming the lead. Will Benson grounded into a fielder's choice but beat out a throw to first base to prevent an inning-ending double play. Austin Hays (3-for-5, two runs) also scored on the play.
Noelvi Marte (2-for-4, RBI, one run) then clapped a sharply-hit ball between the Rays' shortstop and third baseman for a single that scored Gavin Lux.
The Reds tacked on in the fifth inning. Friedl home run installed a 5-2 lead for the Reds. Friedl also achieved double-digit home runs for the third consecutive season.
Friedl's power and finesse were on both on display as his night also featured a bunt base hit that he angled between third baseman Junior Caminero, a starter for the American League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and Rays' pitcher Littell.
Stephenson capped the scoring with a bases-loaded single to left field in the seventh inning. That drove in Hays and Elly De La Cruz (4-for-5, one run), and upped the Reds' advantage to 7-2.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Well-rounded Reds' effort topples Tampa Bay Rays in series opener
Category: Baseball
