The Cincinnati Reds dropped a 4-3 decision to the Los Angeles Angels at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday, as right-hander Julian Aguiar surrendered three runs in a disastrous fourth inning that proved to be the difference. Despite a spirited late rally that included home runs from Blake Dunn and a walk-off attempt in the ninth, the Reds couldn't overcome the early deficit in this spring training matchup.
Aguiar's Fourth Inning Derails Strong Start
The game turned on a dime in the fourth inning when Aguiar, who had worked two scoreless frames to start his outing, suddenly lost his command. Logan O'Hoppe launched a two-run homer to give the Angels their first lead, and Denzer Guzman followed with an RBI double to make it 3-1. That three-run explosion off Aguiar, who took the loss, overshadowed an otherwise encouraging performance from the Reds' pitching staff.
Rhett Lowder opened the game with three perfect innings, striking out three while throwing just 30 pitches. The young right-hander's efficiency and command were impressive, setting the tone early before handing the ball to Aguiar. The contrast couldn't have been starker — Lowder's precision versus Aguiar's fourth-inning meltdown.
Offensive Bright Spots Despite Loss
The Reds showed fight throughout the contest, collecting seven hits and making the Angels work for every out. JJ Bleday led the charge with a 2-for-3 performance, while Jose Trevino went 2-for-2 with an RBI to continue building his case behind the plate. Blake Dunn provided the power with a solo homer, and Rece Hinds flashed his speed with a triple in limited action.
The ninth inning nearly belonged to Cincinnati, as they scratched across a run to make it 4-3 and put the potential tying run on base. However, Angels closer Shaun Anderson, despite allowing Dunn's homer, managed to record his first save of the spring by stranding the tying run.
Bullpen Shows Promise in Extended Action
While Aguiar's struggles dominated the narrative, the Reds' bullpen provided several bright spots in extended work. Jose Franco was particularly impressive, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out five batters on 39 pitches. Sam Moll worked a clean inning with a strikeout, and even Yunior Marte showed resilience after allowing a seventh-inning run.
The Angels got solid middle relief from their staff, with Walbert Urena earning the win after two scoreless innings. The visitors used seven pitchers in total, giving multiple arms valuable work in the desert conditions.
What's Next
This loss drops the Reds' spring record, but the focus remains on individual development and roster evaluation. Lowder's dominant start will surely catch the attention of the coaching staff as rotation battles heat up, while Aguiar will need to bounce back quickly to stay in consideration for his role.
The Reds continue their Cactus League schedule as they fine-tune their preparation for Opening Day. With several position battles still ongoing and pitchers working to build their stamina, every spring training game carries weight even when the wins and losses don't count in the standings.