The Cincinnati Reds bullpen was once again asked to keep the opposition at bay and for what feels like the millionth time this season they were up to the task. That allowed the offense to claw back from a 2-run deficit in the final three innings to beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Saturday afternoon and grab a series with with one more game to be played.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (13-8) | 5 | 11 | 1 |
| Minnesota Twins (11-10) | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| W: Nicolas (1-0) L: Sands (0-1) SV: Santillan (1) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Minnesota didn’t waste time taking the lead in this one as Ryan Jeffers tripled in two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning on a ball into left-center off of Andrew Abbott. The Reds got one of those runs back in the top of the 2nd when Sal Stewart scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Stephenson.
Luke Keaschall, who failed to come through in Friday night’s game three times with men on was up to the task in the bottom of the 3rd on Saturday. With a man on second base he lined a single into right field to drive in a run and extend the Twins lead to 3-1. Cincinnati got that run back in the top of the 4th with Tyler Stephenson once again coming through – this time on a single that scored Eugenio Suarez who had doubled earlier in the inning.
In the bottom of the 5th the Twins got a leadoff single from Josh Bell and then Andrew Abbott would walk Trevor Larnach with two outs. That led to a pitching change that brought in Sam Moll. He would give up an RBI single to the first hitter he faced as the lead went back to two runs for the home team.
That would be the final run of the day for Minnesota as Cincinnati’s bullpen locked them down. The offense would eventually get to work in the 7th inning when Rece Hinds led off with a single and then came in to score on a 2-out single by Elly De La Cruz that made it 4-3. The next inning back-to-back singles to start the frame set up Rece Hinds for a sacrifice fly that tied the game, but Matt McLain was doubled up on the play to end the inning.
With the game tied entering the 9th, the Reds played some small ball. Spencer Steer singled on a grounder to shortstop that was ruled a hit but probably should have been an error. TJ Friedl then bunted him up to second base. That set up Dane Myers to be the hero as he singled on a blooper into shallow center that brought Steer in from second to put Cincinnati up by a run. Tony Santillan came in for the save in the bottom of the 9th and needed just 12 pitches to retire the side as the visitors picked up a 5-4 comeback win.
Key Moment of the Game
Dane Myers go-ahead single in the top of the 9th inning.
Notes Worth Noting
The Reds are now 10-0 in games decided by two runs or fewer. That’s the best start in MLB since 1987 in such games.
Eugenio Suarez had two hits in the game, extending his on-base streak to 11 games. No other Red has a current streak of more than two.
Suarez and Nathaniel Lowe each had two hits in the game.
Tony Santillan hasn’t allowed a run in any of his 10 outings to begin the year, tossing 10.0 shutout innings with just three hits allowed.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Minnesota Twins
Sunday April 19th, 2:10pm ET
Brady Singer (1-1, 5.60 ERA) vs Bailey Ober (2-0, 5.49 ERA)
Good team win with the offense contributing 11 hits and five runs. That’s what it takes Good job. Let’s win again tomorrow.
And your guy contributed. Let’s hope he settles down now and can contribute because the Reds need an outfielder who can throw . It was painful watching Friedl throw home.
I may be the most vocal Hinds supporter. I don’t know. I am far far from the only one though.
I don’t want to “toot his horn” too much. Talk is cheap and eventually he will have to prove it. I sincerely believe he will given enough PA. That would be SO GOOD for the Reds.
Melvin, I really glad he got the heavy refrigerator off his back today. He had to be feeling it.
“Melvin, I really glad he got the heavy refrigerator off his back today. He had to be feeling it.”
I’m sure he did.
What is going on with Abbott…poor spring & now this. He’s not had this kind of stretch since he was called up in 2024.
9 K by bullpen in 4.2 IP. Impressive.
I said this in the game thread, but I’m leaning toward this as the lineup going forward:
CF Myers
LF Benson
DH Stewart
SS Elly
3B Geno
1B Lowe
RF Hinds
C Stephenson
2B McLain
It alternates righty/lefty all the way down to Hinds, which is why I swapped Sal and Elly.
This is also probably the Reds’ best OF defense at the moment.
McLain plays for his defense like Hayes now, but McLain at least has SOME potential on offense. Still, until he starts hitting, he bats 9th.
Hayes can be brought in as a late defensive replacement in games we’re winning.
Steer a legit bat off the bench for matchups, and can sub for almost anyone.
Friedl also an option, and can lay down a bunt/pinch run.
Sal needs to play the field. Too young to DH. He’s been fine at first base.
I also think defensively Sal is the better 1B option as well. Lowe was negative in the field last year
Sure, easy enough to swap the DH position around.
Nice to see Myers get his big hit versus a right handed today.
This is probably not going to happen this year at least but I had a thought. Stewart has already proven to be at least adequate at 2B in the majors when I didn’t think he would be. I wonder if he could play LF.
IF Friedl is going to continue to play AND hit in the top of the lineup at the very least he needs to move from the one spot to the two spot. A perfect example as to why was in the late innings today. They may have to do more traditional sacrifice bunting with him.
I was just thinking that before the game even started. No really. I did
It makes sense.
I believe you.
Tito apparently really likes bunting.
Reds tend to get more hits on the road although less home runs.
GABP is not an easy park to get a hit in.
With our team speed I prefer bigger parks
Good point. 7-2 on the road so far, but I wouldn’t say Friedl and Steer match up speed wise with too many CF/LF combos
Steer has had above average speed. I don’t know if he’s slower this year, but I don’t think of left fielders as being particularly speedy.
Rednat: Astute observation! As most of us fans know Reds have needed power bats for a very long time now. Suarez is okay for now but this team with our ballpark really needs power hitters. Problem is power =$ and the reds won’t spend or don’t have $.
#movethefencesbacknick!
The can’t move the fences back. It is a structural issue with how the stadium is built that would be very expensive to do.
Went to BWW with my friend and actually watched the whole game. Best win of the year imo
Everyone contributed really except Friedl (bunt ok) & KBH. Hopefully that will settle Hinds down. He doesn’t have a poker face so you can see the confidence or lack thereof.
Bleday 1-3 with a walk again today. Friedl just isn’t hitting and can’t throw. Average speed at best. Let him come off the bench and see if that gets him going. Myers is actually 5-11 vs righties.
Release KBH. Strongly consider sending MM down since he should’ve been sent down last year. Lowe is a pro and needs to get the lions share of at-bats in a platoon at either 1B/DH. If MM keeps struggling then leave Stewie at 2B/3B. Geno gets most of 3B and Bleday/Myers in the OF with Hinds. Steer floats and maybe some 2B? He said last spring I think that 2B was his best position. Idk? His annual #s aren’t bad for 2B. Benson maybe off the bench, but I’d rather have Marte if those are the last 2 options.
Bullpen is obviously our strength. Amazing the location Tony gets even though velocity is down. Nicholas has a live arm. Burke today kept throwing soft and getting beat. I said out loud…where is the 98? They have depth for sure. Antone first run allowed today. Lyon Richardson 11.1 scoreless. He has good stuff as well. Williamson was encouraging last night. Maybe there is more there then I thought?
It all comes down to consistent offense.
Great comeback win! And by one run no less! Nice to see more than a couple of hits!
My Good, Bad & Ugly for this game is as follows: Good – Hinds gets a hit and hopefully gets the monkey off his back! Also, Good – Reds bullpen! The Bad – another subpar outing by AA and the UGLY – MM on the basepath! What was he thinking?
The MM baserunning decision may have been (and appeared to be) a way to improve the chances of the baserunner from 3B (I think it was Suarez) scoring on the play.
Agree. McLain baseball IQ is waaaay up there.
He tags up. If the throw goes through and Suarez is out, inning over. If the throw goes through and he’s safe, He’s in scoring position. if the guy cuts the throw, like he did, McLain stops and guarantees that the tieing run scores.
Suarez does not run well. That was not a deep fly. McLain’s situational awareness guaranteed the run for a possible out.
Exactly.
McLain ran to draw the throw, and cause the cut off. Suarez scores.
Glad to be wrong, picked a loss at 8-1 to the Twins (got the run total for the game right).
Poor outing by Abbott. Got to start worrying now about him. Something is wrong. Is his velocity off, is his arm hurt?
Brantley agrees and lauded McLain.
En fuego!
11, count em, eleven, hits! Warming up? Reds have been fun to watch again!
Pretty huge win. The Reds win another game would have lost last year. Of course, the offense is a concern despite they hit clutch today and scored the needed runs. They were short-handed in the bullpen and Abbott only went 4.2 IP so that was an awsome performance by relievers…
Tony Santillán tossing 10 scoreless innings thus far is insane..
Geno keeps rolling offensively…
They are 4-0 on Saturday games now..
Reds have a nice chance to sweep tomorrow, hopefully Singer can repeat his last outing…
What about this lineup:
SS Elly
CF Bleday/Myers
1B/2B/3B Stewart
3B/DH Geno
1B/DH Lowe/Steer
C Stephenson
RF Hinds
LF Benson/Steer
2B McLain
Bleday’s power #s play…especially considering 43 doubles/20 HRs in 2024 in big old Oakland Colosseum. I guess he runs well enough to play CF? McLain is walking so doesn’t have to hit that much to help, but he has to hit something? Is .230 with an occasional extra base hit to much to ask?
From Breakout in 2024 to DFA’d in 2025, JJ Bleday Still …JJ Bleday has faced significant criticism for his defensive performance, particularly when playing center field. Reports indicate he struggled in 2025 with metrics such as -19 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and a -30 career mark, with critics describing his play in center as a “circus” at times. While he has a strong arm, his overall defensive metrics in center field have been poor.
Athletics Nation
Athletics Nation
+2
Took me 2 seconds to look that up. Thank God you aren’t the manager.
I was doing some digging on McLain and found something that’s beyond the point of just an anomaly.
He’s MUCH better in day game than night games. In 2026 and for his career.
And, spring training is largely day games.
Does he not see the ball well at night?
It’s not a small sample. It’s a pattern.
In 2023 in the minor leagues his OPS was nearly 600 points higher in night games. The sample size is small of about 40 total games, but it would certainly suggest he’s not blind at night.
Thanks. Maybe it’s nothing. Just seems odd.
Nice one Doug.
Or maybe his eyesight has changed. Eyes are known to do that.
Usually doesn’t happen in your mid-20’s without external forces coming into play.
I knew you’d say that, Doug.
Signing of Suarez and Lowe is paying dividends. But this bullpen is just so much better than recent years. All we need to do is score 1 run more than thr other team. Keep it rolling
I agree with Melvin on the great team win.
Nine players with hits, not sure if we have done that this year? They have been great on the road so far, a good sign!
I missed watching or listening to the game, but it sounds like the Reds tying run in the 8th might have been a wild one to watch.
Anyone see it?
Great team effort today, good to see Hinds start contributing. At the end, it’s the bat what decides who’s in the lineup, so the best is to keep an IF of Lowe, Stewart, Suarez ans EDLC as much as possible. Best OF now is Benson, Myers and Hinds, with Steer as DH and Hayes, Friedl and McLain in the bench.
Ditto with your line up thoughts GRLFan!
And if Bleday is brought up, then insert him when facing RHP as DH or corner OF.
GRLFan….What would your batting order look
like if you could be a manager for a day?
I see no argument for Friedl being the regular center fielder over Dane Myers. So long as they are winning I’m willing to be a little patient with KBH, though Suarez did look good at third yesterday (I think it was yesterday).
I certainly agree with Myers over Friedl.
Not so sure on Hayes…..he is making contact and perhaps he just needs a breakout game to kick-start him. I can be patient a bit longer.
For those of us on this RLN site old enough to remember, the late Earl Weaver would probably go thru 2 packs of cigarettes when Burke & Nicolas are on the mound! Both have excellent stuff but a little wild at times!
Another outstanding job by Big Tony!
Nicolas was effectively wild in this one
Don Stanhouse who Weaver called “Full Pack”! Also “Stan the Man Unusual”
Good memory, Dennis!
In those days, The UMPs motto, Make Weaver a Leaver.
Another great bullpen effort.
Bullpen’s ERA when the first RP enters the game and the Reds lead: 23.33 IP 0.00 ERA
Bullpen’s ERA when the score is within 2 runs: 57.33 IP 0.943 ERA.
This is how you win close games.
…definitely explains the run differential and expected wins and losses.
NL Central is tough. Reds, Cubs and Brewers have all won today. The Pirates and Cardinals are winning.
Pagan minor hamstring injury is a blessing in disguise for the back end of the bullpen. I’ve always thought that it would be better to try and not pitch Santillan and Pagan together all the time. It’s usually Santillan in the 8th and Pagan in the 9th. Because the rest of the bullpen is pitching lights out, the back end could be adjusted to not push Pagan because of his injury. Having other 8th inning relievers allows both Pagan and Santillan to close. We will eventually move off of Pagan as the closer and others will need to step up into that role. By sometimes splitting up Santillan and Pagan, we will not be in a bind if we have 3-4 close games that in a row that require a closer. 2 or 3 run save games should allow others the opportunity to pitch in the 9th in the closer role. Having multiple relievers with closing experience will only benefit the Reds during a long season. Go Reds!
Please give Lowe another start tomorrow. I like Friedl and Hayes coming off the bench tomorrow and go with a lineup of MM, Benson, Elly, Sal, Geno, Lowe, Steer, Hinds and Stephenson with Hinds in CF.
I have to wonder if that hamstring of Pagsn’s was a little stiff today. It certainly not be unusual to to him go back to back days under normal circumstances.
Pagan blows hot and cold.
When he’s on, he’s great to watch.
Other times, it seems he almost seeks to put extra pressure on himself to bail himself out.
And he mostly has.
No shade on Pagan….do I think Santillan is up for the job?
I do.
Seems like his FB has lost a bit, but he’s pitching very well.
Francona has got to feel pretty good that he’s got two guys who can close it out.
Great team win in chilly conditions. Whatever happens tomorrow is gravy.
No doubt a great team win with everybody that was called on either starting or coming in later on the mound or at the plate getting the job done.Two thoughts from me and then I am gone.First one is Lowe has to play every game possible against right handed pitching.Friedl can no longer bat lead off or at least not until he retains his stroke.
Reds 13-8, five games over 500. Going for sweep tomorrow!! I think Benson and Lowe play tomorrow as well. Friedl hopefully gets a day off.
Sometimes I forget who I’m talking to on here and don’t realize the age of some of you long time passionate Reds fans. Wish I knew who was maybe 75 or older. Just found out recently that greenmtred was nearly 80. That’s amazing.
That is amazing.
I am 51.. lol…
You still get respect and reverence though. 😉
Thanks and I workout 5 times a week. LOL
“Thanks and I workout 5 times a week. LOL”
Cool. I’ve had a Total Gym for 20 years. Works great for me.
Surely you guys realize that 80 is the new 79?
Doc was going to games in Crosley watching Pinson, Robinson, Bell, Big Klu et al. Still kicking at 77.
“Doc was going to games in Crosley watching Pinson, Robinson, Bell, Big Klu et al. Still kicking at 77.”
That’s very cool. Keep on kicking young man. 🙂
I’m starting to keep track of anyone’s age on here who feels like giving it to me so I can have a little bit better understanding of who I’m talking to.
Doc, my earliest memories of live MLB baseball were going to Crosley and seeing those guys. And Aaron, Spahn, Clemente, Mays, Musial (who was grouchy and refused to give autographs) and–in Cleveland–Williams. I still remember being shocked at how green the grass was the first time I saw Crosley.
My marker is Deron Johnson and Sammy Ellis. Some older, some younger than me.
Melvin, I am a 73-year-old die-hard Reds fan who started following the Reds games when I was 8 years old (1961) listening to the broadcasts with my grandfather on his Crosley cabinet radio! Still employed fulltime as a licensed professional engineer working for the Seminole County (FL) Utilities Dept.
That’s awesome. Wish I lived in Florida by the way. 🙂
I grew up playing baseball with someone named Dennis Westrick in Indy believe it or not.
I was a 15 year old in attendance at Crosley Field to witness in person the October 2, 1964 triple play against the Reds and their later 8th inning meltdown which at the least cost them a tie and playoff for the 1964 National League pennant.
That’s cool. It’s amazing how much baseball history some of you have witnessed.
Yes, I have breathed the earth’s air in 90 different decades, but I am not yet 80. Of course, I do not have any conscious memories from the 1940s. 😉
“90 different decades”
90? Didn’t think you were that old. 😉
Just playing with ya. At least you didn’t forget what day it was of the Bats game like I did yesterday. hahaha 😀
Making mistakes like that adds a little fun in life. 🙂
It is perhaps an ominous sign of my age that I didn’t catch Jim’s use of “decades” rather than “years.” Seemed perfectly normal to me.
Nicholas buzzing Buxton had to be a moment. Reminded me of the legendary Ricky Karcher moment. I looked up the Karcher game for a reminder. Holy schmollie. If you need a refresher, here tis. (hope this link works).
https://www.mlb.com/tv/g717793/v0cddcbf7-7de0-41cb-8abd-d3804fae92a4?affiliateId=SCORES#game=717793,tfs=20230613_001000,game_state=final
I really think Tito should hit MM in the leadoff and Friedl 2nd as I’ve mentioned before. If you look at their career splits, it shows that they would be more effective hitters if this change were made. Sample sizes aside, MM is a warm weather hitter as his worst hitting months are Mar, April, Sept. and Oct. A better leadoff hitter than hitting 2nd, better with bases empty than with runners on and better when playing SS than 2B. Friedl is a better hitter hitting 2nd than leadoff, better with runners on than bases empty and better as a LF than CF. And as he showed today with the sacrifice bunt, good in that situation as the team’s best bunter. I don’t think it will hurt either at this point to make a change as they are both struggling out of the gate. I also like the fact that if MM is on first, it’s easier to pull the ball than to hit opposite field and Friedl would have a better chance of advancing the runner. If MM tries to steal, Friedl being a lefty makes it more difficult for the catcher to recognize that MM is stealing as his view could be partially blocked and to make an accurate throw because of a batter on the left handed box. To me, there are many pluses to make the change. It could break them both out of their struggling beginning of the season.
Idk. I’m like the NFL in that I’ll copycat in a second if its working. LA rolls through everyone and they have Ohtani leading off. Acuna for Atlanta, KMarte for Arizona. I’d put Elly there every day. Its his best chance to run and best chance to help the bottom of the lineup score runs if they pick up the pace. I agree that a lefty in the 2 hole opens up that hole with the 1B holding on. Thats been a staple for decades. Didn’t Ken Griffey Sr bat 2nd for the BRM? Or was it Joe Morgan? I was a kid
I was a kid too but in their peak (BRM) it was Rose, Griffey, Morgan.
Ken Griffey (sr) was blazing fast down the first base line, until he hurt his knee or something in 1979 (?), I think.
Ken Griffey (Jr) had great outfield speed, but his Dad was lightening out of the batter’s box early in his career.
Rose, Morgan, Griffey…
The only problem is Elly strikes out 31% of the time.
Number 1 overall for ABS challenges
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48305211/2026-mlb-abs-challenge-system-tracker-team-player-rankings
I am far more confident with Rece Hinds in RF than any of our other options. Not a knock on Marte, as he is still learning. But, the play late in the game where Hinds coming in had the experience and, especially, the confidence to call off Steer to me is big. It was, OK, Rece, we see you. And you have things completely under control out there.
AA’s struggle continued. 13-8 with our de facto ace has not won a start yet is another kudos to bullpen. Winning buys time. Need AA to turn it around.
how the heck did they win that? Surreal. I don’t mind.
13-8 is the best record the Reds have had after 21 games since 2006 when they were 14-7. They did hit 12-9 in 2013 and 2024, but usually they have even to losing records at this point, like 3-18. If only they could hit. Surely there’s a trading partner out there somewhere that’ll give cash for Hayes and take on his contract.
Even Hayes can hit. 230 at this point would be great!!!
It is a bad situation and a trade at the time I liked,however now with Suarez back and Lowe. Stewart as well. Hayes is well not needed in my opinion
Hayes made yet another great play on defense today. He is leading the league in DRS once again too. Big reason we are in 1st. Hopefully he’ll get some hits going forward.
Should say even if
Tampa Bay Rays hang on and beat the Pirates 8-7 in 13 innings!
First place by ourselves correct?
That is correct.
“That is correct.”
Let’s stay there.
It’s a strange season so far.
Every team in NL Central is at least 2 games over 500 – Three teams have a run differential of +20 or better, and two teams have a run differential of -10 or worse. The Reds lead the division with the worst at -11 and the Cubs are at the bottom with the best at +29.
Couple of additional thoughts. Maybe it was just the temperature, but when Lodolo comes back I’m slotting him in place of Abbott. He’s been the least reliable starter so far. Also, three weeks into the season and neither the Brewers nor the Cardinals have played a single game against a team with a winning record. Not one. The Reds haven’t played a lot, but the Mariners have already played FIFTEEN such games. But the wins and losses in April count the same as September. Finally, really nice to see more than three or four hits – imagine how good this team could be if the offense wakes up! Go Reds.
Found a way to win. 1st place!
Today’s win was game management. Friedl had a key sac bunt and McLain made them double him up in order for Suarez to score without a throw. Baseball minds won today’s game. Great job!
If you told me that the team would be without Greene and Lodolo for the first month at least and that Abbott and Singer would be pitching like the 4th and 5th starters with 2/3 of the starting lineup hitting around .200 or below, I would have said I hope we’re not 8-10 games back of the leader in the NL Central. Great to see the 3 starters that are on innings/pitch counts, bullpen and the 3, 4, and 5 hitters carrying the team to a Central leading 13-8 mark. Also, 10-0 in games decided by 2 runs or less, amazing! Top 5 pitching, but worst hitting NL team to date. Nearly impossible to sustain these numbers and continue to win at that pace. Although not how it was planned to begin the season, Lowe must replace Hayes in the starting lineup moving forward to give us the best chance at winning consistently. He must slot in behind Geno at 6 in the batting order with his ability to drive in runs, followed by Steer, Stephenson and Hinds. Hinds hits 9th until hitting improves. Benson LH and Myers RH off the bench. Hayes late inning defensive replacement. Myers and Benson with occasional starts in the OF and used as late inning pinch hitters and as defensive replacements. Bleday could replace Benson.
Scoring early helps the Red’s momentum. Bat Friedl second with Elly, who has improved his pitch recognition, leading off. Then, if called for, Friedl can bunt him into scoring position.
Serious question. Is it time to DFA Friedl and put Myers in full time and Bleday part time. We need offense in the worst way possible!
Benson at least gives us some power . And we are going to have to figure out if McClain is the long term solution at 2B or is Arroyo a better solution. Gino, Stewart, and Elly are providing most of the offense but we are going to have to find other contributors.