The Cincinnati Reds were blanked 3-0 by the Baltimore Orioles at Great American Ball Park on Friday, July 3, 2026, managing just three hits across nine innings while the offense never found an answer against Baltimore's pitching staff. Brady Singer took the loss after walking five batters over five innings, and Samuel Basallo delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run in the third inning. The defeat was a flat performance on a night when the Reds could least afford one, coming one day after the organization designated outfielder Will Benson for assignment.

Brady Singer Walks Tight Rope, Falls in Third Inning

Singer was the story on the mound in all the wrong ways. He struck out six Orioles over his five innings of work and held Baltimore to just three hits, but five walks kept him in perpetual danger. The damage came in the first inning when the Orioles pushed across a run, then erupted for two more in the third on Basallo's home run off Singer — a swing that proved to be more than enough for a Baltimore pitching staff that was locked in all night.

Singer's final line: 5.0 innings, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 5 walks. The strikeout stuff was clearly present. The command was not. Against a disciplined Orioles lineup, that is a combination that will burn you.

Samuel Basallo Does the Damage for Baltimore

The 20-year-old Basallo was the lone offensive standout in the boxscore. He went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, providing Baltimore all the cushion Trevor Rogers would need. Basallo's third-inning blast was the game's defining moment — a ball that cleared the seats at Great American Ball Park and effectively ended the competitive drama before the middle innings even arrived.

Trevor Rogers and Baltimore's Bullpen Suffocate Cincinnati

Rogers was sharp enough to earn the win, going five innings while allowing zero runs on two hits and five walks. Cincinnati's batters reached base via the walk on multiple occasions but could not convert, a theme that defined the entire night. After Rogers exited, Rico Garcia worked two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, Yennier Cano handled the eighth, and Tyler Wells closed it out in the ninth — striking out one and earning the save. The Reds had no answer for any of them.

Cincinnati's lineup produced zero highlights in the boxscore. No Reds batter recorded an RBI. No one drove a runner in. It was that kind of night on the banks of the Ohio.

Bullpen Holds, But It Did Not Matter

To their credit, the Reds bullpen did not let the game get out of hand after Singer departed. Caleb Ferguson worked 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and no earned runs with a strikeout. Chase Petty followed with 1.2 spotless innings, and Julian Garcia handled the ninth with a clean frame. Three scoreless innings from the relief corps is a positive data point — but when your offense scores zero, bullpen efficiency becomes a footnote.

Roster Context: Benson Out, Greene Back

This loss arrives amid notable roster movement. The Reds designated Will Benson for assignment on July 4, a transaction that reshapes the outfield depth picture. On a more encouraging note, Hunter Greene — returning from the injured list — made his first appearance of the 2026 season on July 4. Greene's return is significant for a rotation that has leaned heavily on its starters this season. His impact going forward will be worth monitoring closely.

Key Performances — Baltimore Orioles 3, Cincinnati Reds 0

  • Samuel Basallo (BAL): 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Trevor Rogers (BAL): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 5 BB — Win
  • Tyler Wells (BAL): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K — Save
  • Brady Singer (CIN): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 K, 5 BB — Loss
  • Caleb Ferguson (CIN): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
  • Chase Petty (CIN): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
  • Julian Garcia (CIN): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER

What's Next for the Reds

Cincinnati remains at Great American Ball Park as the Baltimore series continues. The Reds need to find offense — and fast. Getting shut out at home is never acceptable, and with Hunter Greene working his way back into the mix, the rotation picture is shifting. The bats have to wake up. One swing from a Basallo should not be enough to beat this team at home.