The Cincinnati Reds overcame a one-run deficit to beat the San Diego Padres 4-3 in nine innings at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Nick Lodolo kept the Reds in the game through six solid innings, the bullpen slammed the door when it mattered, and a late offensive push off San Diego's Adrian Morejon gave Cincinnati the margin it needed. The win snapped what had been a Padres advantage and kept the Reds on the right side of the ledger heading into September.

Reds Rally Past Padres 4-3 at Great American Ball Park

Lodolo was the anchor. The left-hander worked six full innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. That line kept the Reds within striking distance through the middle frames and handed the bullpen a manageable situation. Luis Mey followed with a clean inning — two strikeouts, no hits, one walk — and Brock Burke bridged the gap with a scoreless frame of his own, punching out two in one inning while allowing just one hit. Burke earned the win.

Emilio Pagán closed it out, picking up the save despite allowing one earned run on one hit in the ninth. It was a bumpy final frame, but the Reds held on.

Fernando Tatis Jr. Provided San Diego's Firepower

The Padres did not go quietly. Fernando Tatis Jr. was the story on the San Diego side, going 2-for-5 with two home runs and two RBI. His power was the engine behind San Diego's three-run total, and he gave Cincinnati's pitching staff real problems at the plate. Jackson Merrill and Samad Taylor each added two hits for the Padres, so San Diego put the ball in play consistently — they just couldn't push enough runs across to hold the lead.

Turning Point: Morejon Unravels in the Late Innings

The game turned when San Diego called on Adrian Morejon to protect the lead. Morejon could not do it. The left-hander faced trouble quickly, surrendering two hits and two walks while allowing two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. That implosion handed Cincinnati the runs it needed to flip the score. David Morgan came on to stop the bleeding, but the damage was done — the Reds had their lead.

On the Cincinnati side, Héctor Rodríguez delivered in the box when the Reds needed production. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI, providing a consistent presence in the lineup. Sal Stewart also went 2-for-4, giving the offense two reliable contributors at the top of the hit column. Neither player hit for power, but both put the ball in play and kept the pressure on San Diego's pitching staff throughout the night.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Luis Mey (RP, CIN): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Brock Burke (RP, CIN — W): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Emilio Pagán (RP, CIN — SV): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Héctor Rodríguez (CIN): 2-for-4, 1 RBI
  • Sal Stewart (CIN): 2-for-4
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD): 2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI
  • Adrian Morejon (RP, SD — L): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

What's Next for the Reds

The Reds continue their home series against San Diego at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati will look to build on Tuesday's comeback result and extend the series advantage against the Padres. With September underway, every game at home carries weight, and the Reds showed on Tuesday that they can manufacture runs late when the opposing bullpen cracks.