The Reds got exactly what they needed from Andrew Abbott on Sunday. Not only did he cover seven innings for a bullpen that was running on fumes, he only allowed one run as his dominant 2025 continued. Cincinnati got enough done on offense to pick up a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon as they avoided the sweep.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (40-38) | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals (42-36) | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| W: Abbott (7-1) L: Mikolas (4-5) SV: Pagan (18) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Cincinnati Reds got on the board early as Matt McLain extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a solo home run in the top of the 1st. Two innings later the Cardinals would get that run back after Yohel Pozo singled in Nolan Arenado in the 3rd to tie the game up at 1-1.
Cincinnati would take the lead again in the top of the 5th inning. Jose Trevino picked up a 1-out double. He then came around to score when Jake Fraley cracked a double into right-center. Fraley took third base on a passed ball and then scored on a sacrifice fly by TJ Friedl as the Reds made it 3-1.
The Reds would tack on another run in the top of the 6th. Kyle Leahy took over for Miles Mikolas to begin the inning and Elly De La Cruz welcomed him to the game with a leadoff double. He took third base on a ground out to second. With the infield in, Gavin Lux hit a grounder to short, but with the speed of De La Cruz he scored without a throw to extend Cincinnati’s lead to 4-1.
Andrew Abbott would keep St. Louis off of the board in both the bottom of the 6th and 7th as he completed his day with exactly 100 pitches. In the 8th inning it was Taylor Rogers taking over for the Reds. He would get two outs around a walk before Terry Francona made his way to the mound to bring in Lyon Richardson to face Masyn Winn. Richardson got the job done, getting Winn to fly out and strand the baserunner.
Still holding on to a 3-run lead, Cincinnati sent Emilio Pagan to the mound to try and pick up the save. He made quick work of things, needing just 11 pitches to pick up his 18th save of the season.
Key Moment of the Game
The Reds 5th inning that saw them score two runs to take the lead.
Notes Worth Noting
With the win the Reds avoided being swept and remain the only team in Major League Baseball who has not been swept in 2025.
Andrew Abbott’s All-Star caliber season continued as he gave up just one run in his seven innings. In his 13 starts this season he’s now got his ERA at 1.79 in 75.1 innings pitched with a 0.96 WHIP.
Jake Fraley fell one putout shy of tying the Major League record in a 9-inning game for right fielders. He had 10 in the game.
Matt McLain’s hit streak is now at 10 games. He’s hit .382/.447/.618 during the streak.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds
Monday June 23rd, 7:10pm ET
Allan Winans (2025 MLB debut) vs Nick Lodolo (5-5, 3.71 ERA)
Abbott the stopper. He really needs to be on the NL All Star Team. He needs to be voted in. Whether he pitches in the All Star game or not, he needs to be voted in.
I don’t think the voters select pitchers.
Yes. 3 or 4 more starts to make his mark.
Abbott is just short of being a Qualified Pitcher, but if he were he’d have the best ERA in baseball with his 1.79 ERA. Currently Skeens is #1 with a 1.85 ERA and Brown is #2 with a 1.88 ERA.
I don’t know what the number of innings needed are but Abbott has 75.1 IP, and I saw a qualified starter with 79.1 IP.
Ive never heard of a “qualified starter” before. I guess i haven’t kept up with modern lingo.
Hes looking like an all-star to me though.
Hoping, Abbott, Elly and TJ all get in.
Tomm, “qualified” means the inning-per-game rule that governs rate stats like the ERA title. Gotta pitch 162 innings to “qualify.” Hitters need 3.1 PAs per game (or 502) to “qualify” for a batting title. If a guy has only 494 PAs, but would still lead the league if he is deemed to go 0-for-8 in the untaken 8 PAs, then he gets credit for the batting title.
Fewer and fewer pitchers “qualify” any more. MLB may need to dial that back to 0.9 innings/game to “qualify,” but I like the present rule.
Abbott didn’t pitch until April 12, but he should “qualify” barring injury.
Abbott was a true stopper today to salvage the series.
More than a stopper, he is the staff ACE
Yes, that is the truth!
Greene when healthy is ACE of the staff. He was on his way before this groin issues.
Abbott is good no doubt. If I recall you had once suggested Lodolo was ACE of the staff.
What is your obsession with who is or who isn’t the ‘ace’ of a staff?
Or what that even means?
Is there some kind of special sash they get to wear?
Do you think Abbott or Greene or Lodolo really give a hoot about this tired title you are bestowing?
First it was Lodolo with you, now Abbott, with your made-up, artificial hierarchies.
And anti-Greene sentiments.
So, so silly.
Nice game AA is dealing
I know I sound like a broken record but I’d love to see the Reds extend Abbott.
Fantastic outing again by Abbott. Some timely hitting. Trevino just gets it done when he starts. He’s been so good for the Reds. McLain getting it done again too.
Nice bullpen effort today and nice to keep their innings to a minimum.
I feel like with Greene, Abbott, and Lodolo we have a very strong 1,2,3 in the rotation. Having other guys too like Singer and hopefully Burns and we have a few other guys who make a very strong back of the rotation as well.
I suspect Martinez will be gone after this season. Too expensive for a guy who is over 4 ERA. Plus we have a few guys who will be hopefully coming back from injury finally. Who knows what they will produce though coming off injuries.
Can’t say enough about Abbott. Looks like I’m not alone in that sentiment.
I always thought Abbott would be a #3 or #4 guy in our rotation. He is a pitcher not someone who just throws really hard. He pitches smart.
Has anybody ever wondered if the Reds would be better if Burt Reynolds was still alive?
Get a little seance going and ask him yourself?
lol good idea. I get delirious when the Reds win, as you can see.
I met Burt Reynolds when he lived in Jupiter, Fl., which is not far from his hometown of West Palm Beach. I was not aware Burt was a Reds fan.
It’s a wonderful notion – the idea of contributing something to our collective knowledge that no one else has ever thought of. Wasn’t that the motivation for mathematician John Nash (from A Beautiful Mind)? It’s very possible no one else has ever wondered this same thing. Full credit, wacky as it might be, for this comment Brian!
Abbott is the Reds starting rotation ace right now while Greene is out. I think he could be already a qualified pitcher after his next outing if he can go 7 IP again.
The next series is one of the toughest they have to play but Reds should take advantage of Yankees using a rookie to debut who has a career 7.20 ERA when pitched in 2023 and 2024 to attempt to win the opener…Hope Lodolo will bring in his best stuff tomorrow …
My one gripe of the game: Rogers walking Barrero. I know I’m not alone on that one.
Is it time to take Stephenson out of the clean-up spot? Slumping badly.
Hoping Hays back for Yanks?
Hoping, yes. Not likely, however.
He is going to Chattanooga to rehab and play.
Saw that and was like. how could you walk one of the worst hitters in baseball. Rogers has been a mediocre pitcher all season. Barlow seems to have gotten a little better lately.
Reds have proven that they can beat any team outside of NL central. Bring on the Yankees. See if Lodolo and Burns can handle the pressure. Padres, Phillies, and Red Sox follow, what a brutal stretch of games, but again none of them play in NL central.
IMO, this should have been a 2-1 series for the Reds. The Cards just wanted that Saturday game more than the Reds and dug a little deeper than the Reds at full crunch times.
I thought in the 8th, after 2 were out with no one on base for the Cards, the Reds changed their pitching strategy by quitting going right after the hitters, which resulted in two consecutive 2-0 counts in PAs, which ended in singles. The biggest moment of the inning in my mind was when Santillan came back to have Burleson down 0-2 on two fastballs only to miss way too high on a fastball he hoped to have Burleson climbing the ladder on to then have Burleson spoil a put away slider (foul) and single on a fastball which was not elevated enough still at 1-2.
For everything that happened before the 10th, the Reds put on a tremendous stand to get the game to the 11th, which should have been for the win, except the Reds had failed to plate their free runner in the top of the inning with 3-5 spots in the order up. Then in the 11th, the Reds had their free man at 3b with no outs and again failed to score. The PAs (both Ks) by Benson and Espinal had to be two their worst.
We could say should have or could have in a lot of series losses against NL central foes. We played 6-7 divisional series so far and have not won a single one right? Are we less talented? Maybe. But I think a lot of it is mental.
Richardson is quietly becoming an effective piece in the bullpen. Getting clutch outs. He’s earning the later inning nods.
Yep.
He should be the 7th inning guy even after Ashcraft returns.
Or 8th, if Santillan falters.
Santillan, when rested, is a great setup guy. Throwing Richardson in as an alternative instead of forcing the issue with Santillan, who has been overworked at times, would really help. Barlow has been consistent in the 7th but even he has been used too much of late. I’m not necessarily blaming Francona, he’s going with the guys he trusts. He just needs more of them in tight spots.
What we really need is a strong left-handed option as a setup man.
So far, he’s been better than Ashcraft.
Lyon should teach GA that change-up. Ashcraft came in a thrower and he’s still a thrower. Sometimes the slider wipes them out and other times he’s hangs in with the game on the line. It took HG 3 years to throw a 3rd pitch? Other teams seem to have guys of the same age that are more advanced. Maybe our scouts just look at velocity?
Agreed JB WV
Got to love Abbott. I’m firmly in the camp that says lock him up now.
I would do maybe a 4- or 5-year deal with him.
Cannot Believe that Hayes has been out for several weeks with a bruised foot. Makes little to no sense
Bone bruise, not just a bruised foot.
Word is he nicked himself shaving last night, and will miss another week.
Harsh. But funny!
It’s going to be a very interesting next 40 days or so from a roster standpoint. First, the moves needed to get Candy, Hays, and Marte back on the roster. Then eventually Greene. And if the Reds hang on over the next month, what trades get made? CES was MIA yet again today. At this point, I think it’s likely he will be the guy either placed on the IL or optioned tomorrow when Candy returns.
It’s a timing issue with Candelario – if he doesn’t go on another IL stint. I don’t see him being on the roster after the deadline. That means someone with options gets sent down until a decision is taken – may be CES, or may be another short term IL they can juggle, but Candelario has to be part of the trade, or simply released/DFAed.
Great win to stop the bleeding. I am beyond in agreement for signing Abbott to an extension. He is solid.
As an optimist, the “stop the bleeding” is an interesting especially considering the now well known line about them being the only team not to be swept in a series. Sure, that could include a 4 game losing streak, but that sort of feat might begin to reveal Tito’s skill. They’ve had had some very bad games, and some dumb luck, but there haven’t been many games that were over early, as we’ve seen the past few seasons.
They also haven’t flat out quit or packed it in, even when they’ve been resting the regulars or using the back of the pen. Even the worst streaks (the consecutive 1-0 losses) have been very tight games where one swing changes things.
So often the past few seasons they’d have a bad game, an unlucky game, a close game, and lose all three, and then repeat it, and ooops – it’s a 6-7-8 game losing streak.
I still agree with the set of experts who hold managers don’t make too much difference to the W-L record over a season, but avoiding extended losing streaks seems like a sign of a good manager. This is a big enough sample size to show that.
The only lost 5 out of their previous 14 before last night. To refer to that as “bleeding” is excessive.
Optimist, I agree that this reflects on Tito’s influence.
JMB, stopping the bleeding was simply referring to the three game losing streak. Sorry, if that analogy seems excessive to you.
10-15 in division is bleeding…its gushing. Its JFK Dealey Plaza
BTW, is anyone still talking about dumping Pagan?
I wouldn’t want to dump him, but I would love to see the Reds acquire someone better to be the closer.
He has performed better than I expected, but he still makes me nervous every time he goes out there to close a game.
I’ve never seen a closer who didn’t make me nervous.
If there is anybody the Reds should be trying to sign long term it should be Abbott. This guy is a pitcher, not a thrower. He’s a thinking man pitcher, he’s smart, he got a degree at Virginia in biology in just 3 years.
I’ve basically called out Hays manhood for not playing, but to be fair, Haliburton played hurt and it didn’t end well last night. Bummer of a G7 after everything they accomplished, but life isn’t fair sometimes.
Something to be said for never being swept. The Reds probably won’t get in, but you never know? SF adding Devers helps their cause. I still think we’re better on paper then Milw and St. Louis, but we can’t get everyone on the field.
Yankees can be beat, but advantage NY when it comes to Lodolo. He’s got a live arm, but he’s horrible at Gabp? Lodolo at Gabp this season = 5.40 era, last year = 6.09. I don’t know where you go with that? He’s probably thrown at that arm angle his whole life, but it leaves the ball up on the fastball. Good test for him tonight. You could do alot worse then Abbott, HG, Burns, Lodolo, and Singer. Lowder is really smart w/command like Abbott and they have several other options for next year.
Lodolo is erratic ,sometimes brilliant and other times frustrating but with his pitch repertoire he will always find a spot in a rotation. But its interesting how some pitchers have big splits in GABP.
Remember Tyler Mahle? You always said take the over when he was the SP at GABP and it usually played out that way.
Yep fly ball pitcher and they give up a few oppo cheapie HRs or whatever then they start nibbling
The poor GABP splits are likely the result of a lack of command despite having pitches that are often overpowering.
Perhaps it was Lodolo’s big sweeping pitch that ends up at the hitters feet that used to be his out pitch that is missing. Don’t see that much at all anymore. Thinking that is the pitch that causes his blister.
“ I’ve basically called out Hays manhood for not playing”.
Worst take of the season so far.
Most of his are.
Lol thanks. Seriously how hard is it to DH? I’m betting Cal Ripken got dinged up. Elly gets dinged up and slides and dives.
I’ll take the ‘over’ on more such tasteless comments from this fella.
And for the knuckle sandwich Hays would likely serve him.
Four of the 6 pitchers you named were top 10 overall draft picks by the Reds, both Greene and Burns at #2, then Lowder and Lodolo both at #7. And Singer was a #18 overall by the Royals and cost the Reds a #5 overall pick, Jonathan India.
We all probably ought to keep the four overall top 10 pitcher choices and Singer at 18 in mind the next time we’re out of sorts about the Reds not having any young batting outfield beasts on the immediate horizon.
A deep bone bruise takes time to heal apparently. Especially when you run for a living. To call out someone “manhood” is truly a insult. Let’s throw a baseball at 100 mph at your foot and see if you heal quickly? Just simply insulting to Hays or any mlb player
Thank you AGAIN Mr. Abbott! Crazy that the Reds are the only team in MLB not to be swept this season.
Memo to the pitching staff–nothing anywhere near the plate for Judge!
Took McLain and Goldschmidt to score a run tonight. Figure atleast 1 scores.
Goldschmidt is 4-8 off Lodolo with a double and 2 HRs. I’ll be surprised if Lodolo doesn’t get hammered
Fraley 11 for last 31 (.355)
Benson 11 for last 73 (.151)
Is Benson out of options or something? Move Benson out for Hinds and move Fraley up in the order. Seems cut and dried to me?
No, Benson is not out of option eligibility. He was optioned during the spring cutdown, which means he can be shuffled back and forth up to 5 times during 2025. Looking to the future, per Fangraphs, he will still be option eligible in 2026.
Benson is, I think, 4 years younger than Fraley.
Fraley is also sort of injury prone.
Benson is the better athlete, and has a lot more power. His problem is just consistency in his swing (keep it short) and pitch recognition.
Depending on how the year ends, if Fraley keeps his average up, then THIS is the year to trade him (after the season).
He’s good, but he has a low ceiling, and he is already 30.
Benson has been big-time disappointing, but he does have a higher ceiling as a player. If you take out the first 5-6 games he played after being promoted to the Reds, his number are REALLY bad.
Alas, Benson is out of the ceiling phase. He’s at 900 PAs and just had his 27th birthday. Looks to be better than a AAAA player, and may improve a bit more into a very good 4th OFer, but aside from some random blazing out weeks it would be very surprising if he becomes a years long regular starter. Still – turning into a fine career after a long run thru MiLB and a new organization.
I like Will and he was very exciting when he arrived in 2023, but he just turned 27. When will he develop? I think he is what he is. What intrigued me was his eye and his speed, but he’s got 1 steal on the season and has been kind of shaky in the OF as well.
He does have .986 ops at home (.441 road) so he can reach the seats. Fraley is still a better player on 6/23/2025. Snake would have to go 0-42 to equal the slide Will is on
NL Central Payroll NL Central Standings
1. Chicago 1. Chicago
2. St. Louis 2. Milwaukee
3. Milwaukee 3. St. Louis
4. Cincinnati. 4. Cincinnati
5. Pittsburgh 5. Pittsburgh
Abbott pitched a great game, but until the field is level we are just spinning tires.
Correlation is not always causation…but in this case, I think it is.
The Reds do have a couple of really talented players that are not making huge salaries (yet). And a couple of pitchers that are effective and not getting paid the big bucks.
The real problem for the Reds (and all other teams) is being absolutely honest with yourself about the talent that you actually have, and not wishcasting about “he’s gonna have a great year next year, just wait and see!”
Hey David. We’ll get em next year is official Reds team motto quoted for 34 years and counting. Right now according to ownership we are spending the max we can. Can you imagine what this team will look like when our couple of good players start making serious money?
Cold, hard fact. Looking at St Louis, however, I dont recognize any name beside Nolan A and Gray. Where does the money go? Upgrade BP and Reds can compete.
Contreras was the Cubs catcher for years, now he is the Cards 1B. I remember when Cubs fans were reserved to the fact they couldn’t afford Contreras now he is in St. Louis. That is where some of that money went.
Neither St Louis or Milwaukee matches up with us on paper. Milw was on a long winning streak when they came to Cincy and looked kind of bland. They still won the series of course.
Of course Milw has 5 guys from .708 ops to .783. They’re not playing Espinal .585 all the time or suffering through Candy, Blake Dunn, etc
Is Hays going yo be one of those “It’s always something”, injury-prone guys, or is this bone bruise an anomaly? I suppose only time will tell. Sure hurts to have him out if the line-up.
I don’t think a player can overcome a bone bruise on a weight-bearing bone by force of will. I’m not going to have a baseball hit me on the foot at 98 mph to clarify that, either.
I do wonder why the Reds in general seem to have a lot of pulled muscles, which ought to be more avoidable than things like bone bruises and the gruesome Tyler Callihan injury.
Reds have 117 ERA+ and 94 OPS+ as a team so far. They have scored 360 runs and given up 326. Every P on current roster has ERA+ 100 or higher. The Reds P average 8 K and 3 BB per 9 IP.
These numbers despite health issues and slumps by a couple key players.
@ Oldtimer
The 94 OPS value for the Reds is very telling.
Every player runs hot and cold, it hitting, is slumping.
But you hope that your offense is strong enough the at any time, a few players are hitting and making the offense go.
This is indicative of the Reds’ offense being (obviously) below average. They have some good offensive players…but not enough.
And you are right about the injuries hurting this figure.
If Marte had been playing instead of Espinal, that would have been better (based on the start of the season by Marte).
Hays has been pretty good, when he plays. Out with the foot problem, and who knows when this will heal properly
McLain contributing some days, but still batting out there on the interstate. Steer and CES have also been, largely, disappointing in performance with the bat.
Nick Krall, Brad Meador, your ride (trade opportunity) is waiting.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/astros-trade-rumors-left-handed-bat.html
Great post. We’ll see if Mr. Krall can pull this one off. It would seem we have some LF bats to offer (redundant).
They’ve got Benson/Fraley and Candelario to offer, but they’d have to eat a lot of Candelario’s contract, because the Astros don’t want to take on much $$. They may not be interested in Benson.
That pretty much leaves Fraley, who would make sense for the Reds only if they intend to go long-term with Rece Hinds in RF. That’s not impossible, but there hasn’t been any sign of it lately.
I suppose that they could trade Lux.
OBE>> Sometimes, it is a chicken or egg first situation. If a team is willing to trade a player and has an internal replacement they are likely to move up, and they insert the replacement for the departing player, that probably reduces the trade value of the departing player.
If Hinds were to replace Benson against both LHP and RHP, and Fraley continues to be used as he is now……
Just on X via the Reds official account that Jeimer Candelario has been DFA
You beat me Jim. LOL
Reds DFA Candelario…
Francona doesn’t play around.
The decision wasn’t Francona’s to make.
Don’t understand why Krall brought up Hinds so early if they weren’t going to play him until Tuesday. He could have used more ABs yesterday down in AAA. The longer he’s on the bench the more likely his hot streak cools off.