In an impressive and dare we say – becoming more routine – display of resilience, the Cincinnati Reds staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Kansas City Royals in a thrilling matchup. Despite trailing early in the game, the Reds showcased this team’s fighting spirit and offensive prowess to secure a win. 25 year-old left handed rookie – Brandon Williamson, faced challenges early, but settled in to pitch five innings, allowing four runs. The Reds’ bullpen then took over, holding the Royals to just one hit for the remainder of the game. The Reds’ ability to come from behind has been a defining characteristic of their successful season.
Williamson (1-0) showed determination on the mound, weathering early adversity and maintaining his composure. While he gave up seven hits, including three earned runs, he left the game with a lead. The turning point came in the second inning when the Reds exploded for five runs, capitalizing on a full rotation through their batting lineup. The inning included a combination of hits, walks, stolen bases, and defensive miscues from the Royals, leading to a 5-1 lead for Cincinnati.
The Royals fought back, with Jordan Lyles (0-11) on the mound, who yielded all five runs over six innings. The Reds’ offensive outburst in the second inning put the Royals in a difficult position. Lyles, who has struggled with home runs this season, managed to avoid surrendering one in this game but fell victim to Cincinnati’s small-ball tactics.
One of the greatest surprises this season has been Cincinnati’s bullpen, who showcased their strength and reliability, with Daniel Duarte, Ian Gibaut, Lucas Sims, and Alexis Diaz effectively shutting down the Royals’ offense. Despite a few tense moments, including loading the bases in the seventh inning, the bullpen managed to maintain their composure and extinguish Kansas City and their ability to punch any runners home. Lucas Sims recorded crucial strikeouts of Nick Pratto and Salvador Perez in the seventh inning to escape the jam.
The victory highlighted the Reds’ ability to come from behind, making it their National League-leading 22nd win in such fashion. The team’s camaraderie and chemistry were evident, with players acknowledging the importance of their bullpen’s performance. The winless season for Lyles continued as he struggled to contain the Reds’ offense. Throughout the season, Lyles has been plagued by surrendering home runs, but on this occasion, it was the Reds’ small-ball approach that proved to be his downfall.
Looking ahead, the Reds will carry their momentum into the next game with RHP Ben Lively (3-4, 4.21 ERA) taking the mound. The Royals, on the other hand, hope to reverse their fortunes with LHP Daniel Lynch (0-2, 4.41 ERA) seeking his first win since August 2022.
In terms of roster moves, the Reds made some adjustments, optioning Ricky Karcher to Triple-A Louisville and selecting Daniel Duarte’s contract. Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment. On the injury front, Reds’ INF Nick Senzel and RHP Tony Santillan began their rehab assignments in Louisville, while OF Henry Ramos returned from the injured list but was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Louisville.
This team is built different, and it’s really starting to show in the standings as the Reds inch closer to the top within striking distance of the Pirates. With one game left in this series, the Reds celebrate their comeback victory, their fourth straight overall win, and look to take the series sweep.
