In a dramatic night at Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Reds edged the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4, thanks to a clutch three‑run homer from rookie Sal Stewart. The rally came after the Reds trailed 2-0 early, and it highlighted the team’s resilience and the impact of young talent on the field.
Key offensive moments
Matt McLain opened the sixth inning with a double, and Elly De La Cruz followed with a single, setting the stage for Stewart’s at‑bat. With two outs and the Reds down by two runs, Stewart launched his 27th home run of the season, a 422‑foot shot that cleared the center‑field wall and put Cincinnati ahead 3-2.
The power display was more than a personal milestone; it made Stewart the third‑fastest Reds player since 1920 to reach 100 RBIs in a season, and his 94 RBIs currently lead Major League Baseball.
Defensive lapses and extra runs
St. Louis briefly reclaimed the lead in the eighth inning when McLain reached first on a throwing error, allowing Jose Trevino to score. The Cardinals extended the gap to 5-2 after Dane Myers dropped a run‑scoring bunt, but the Reds held firm for the remainder of the game.
Pitching performances
Reds starter Chase Burns delivered five solid innings, striking out eight while allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks. Reliever Sam Moll, who earned the win, pitched the sixth inning, giving up only one hit and a walk while striking out a batter.
For the Cardinals, Matthew Liberatore struck out nine over six innings but took the loss. The bullpen saw Michael McGreevy (5-9, 3.48 ERA) slated to start the next game for St. Louis, while Cincinnati will counter with Brady Singer (5-11, 4.66 ERA).
Late‑game drama
In the ninth, the Cardinals threatened a comeback when Jordan Walker belted a two‑run homer, narrowing the deficit to one run. With two outs, José Fermín doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Masyn Winn attempted a squeeze play, but closer Emilio Pagán threw him out at first to seal the victory, earning his 16th save of the season.
Looking ahead
The win improves the Reds’ standing in the National League Central and underscores the importance of young contributors like Stewart, McLain, and De La Cruz. Both clubs will look to fine‑tune their rotations as the season progresses, with the next series set to begin Thursday.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
