The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a three-run comeback to defeat the Athletics 5-4 on Tuesday, August 4, at Great American Ball Park, finishing off the win in nine innings. Down by three at one point, Cincinnati chipped away and eventually pushed across the decisive run to take the series game in dramatic fashion. Julian Garcia earned the win out of the bullpen, and Emilio Pagán closed it out for the save. It was the kind of gut-check victory that requires everyone in the building to contribute — and on this night, the Reds got just enough from their pitching staff to make it hold.

Brady Singer Keeps Cincinnati in the Fight

Brady Singer gave the Reds a workable start, going six innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out six. He did not have his sharpest command — the three walks were a problem — but six innings of three-run ball gave Cincinnati a chance. When the offense found its footing later in the game, Singer's effort looked a lot better in retrospect.

Athletics starter J.T. Ginn matched Singer nearly pitch for pitch through six, surrendering three earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Both starters exited with the game still very much in play.

Bullpen Delivers When It Matters Most

The back end of this game belonged to the Reds' relief corps. Sam Moll worked a scoreless inning of relief, allowing just one hit with no damage. Then Julian Garcia came on and was filthy — two strikeouts, zero hits, zero walks in a perfect inning. Garcia picked up the win when Cincinnati pushed ahead.

On the Oakland side, Hogan Harris could not find the strike zone in a critical spot, issuing three walks in just two-thirds of an inning while allowing two earned runs. That implosion is what opened the door for the Reds' comeback. Elvis Alvarado came on to limit further damage, but the runs had already scored.

Emilio Pagán closed things out for Cincinnati, running into a bit of trouble with two hits allowed but ultimately stranding the runners and sealing the 5-4 final with a strikeout.

Athletics Offense Could Not Sustain the Early Lead

Oakland got contributions across the lineup. Henry Bolte went 3-for-4 to pace the Athletics offensively, though he did not drive in a run. Jeff McNeil added a 2-for-4 night with one RBI. The A's put the ball in play and built an early cushion, but Cincinnati's bullpen tightened the screws when it counted.

Turning Point: Harris Loses the Zone in the Ninth

The game turned decisively when Harris walked three Reds batters in just two-thirds of an inning while allowing two earned runs, forcing in runs and handing Cincinnati the lead. Issuing three walks while recording only two outs is a sequence you simply cannot survive with the game on the line, and the Reds made Oakland pay for every missed location. That sequence flipped a manageable Athletics lead into a deficit they never recovered from.

What's Next for the Reds

  • Cincinnati continues this homestand at Great American Ball Park with additional games in the series against the Athletics.
  • The Reds bullpen — Garcia and Pagán in particular — will be worth monitoring for workload after both saw action in this one.
  • Brady Singer will look to build on a start that, while not overpowering, gave Cincinnati a platform to win from.