After jumping on the Cleveland Guardians early, the Cincinnati Reds‘ pitching staff creaked and buckled, but ultimately held up.
Cincinnati took the series opener off Cleveland, 5-4, on Friday at Great American Ball Park after jumping out to a 5-0 lead after just three innings. The game was moved up to 5:10 p.m. from its originally-scheduled 6:40 p.m. start time due to the threat of severe weather in Greater Cincinnati.
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Reds starter Brady Singer (5-2) went five innings in picking up the victory. He was aided in his efforts by four Reds relievers and Emilio Pagán picked up his 10th save of 2025.
In the ninth inning, Pagán allowed a towering fly ball to Cleveland slugger Carlos Santana but watched as the ball died on the warning track for the first out of the inning. An equalizing run wouldn’t arrive.
The victory improved the Reds’ record to 22-24.
Four of the Reds’ early runs came in the second inning. Will Benson’s bat stayed hot as he launched his second home run in as many days, this one a three-run homer to right field to open the scoring. Later in the second, Matt McLain scored on a throwing error following an infield single by Santiago Espinal.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson (30) hits a 3-run home run in the second inning of the MLB game between Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Cincinnati’s fifth run arrived an inning later when Austin Hays hit a solo shot to left field. That marked Hays’ sixth homer of the season.
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A Gavin Lux double to lead off the third inning gave the Reds their eighth hit against Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee, but Bibee settled down from there and didn’t allow another run.
Bibee (3-4) ended the day having allowed four earned runs and 10 hits over six innings.
Then, Cleveland’s bats started to get to Singer. Santana put the Guardians on the scoreboard with a two-run double in the fourth. An inning later, Bo Naylor homered to center field.
Cincinnati’s bullpen took over after Singer got through the fifth inning. Taylor Rogers and Graham Ashcraft worked scoreless innings, although Tony Santillan allowed a no-doubt home run to Cleveland slugger Jose Ramirez in the eighth inning.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds pitchers hold up to protect win against Cleveland Guardians