Reds slug three homers, hold off Brewers 5-3
Source: WBAY TV-2 Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds used a trio of home runs to power past the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 on a rainy Saturday night, with Matt McLain delivering the decisive blow in the seventh inning. The game, delayed for more than two hours due to a passing storm, showcased the Reds' resilience against a Brewers team that holds the best record in the National League.
McLain led off the seventh with a solo shot off Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby, snapping a 3-3 tie and giving Cincinnati a lead it would not relinquish. The homer was McLain's 15th of the season, a welcome sign for a Reds team that has struggled offensively at times. Earlier, Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson had also gone deep, providing the bulk of the Reds' scoring.
The game began with Milwaukee striking first. William Contreras connected off Reds starter Andrew Abbott in the top of the first, sending a solo homer to left field for his 14th of the year. The Brewers, despite ranking last in the majors with 132 home runs entering the night, showed flashes of power. But De La Cruz answered immediately in the bottom half, crushing his 22nd homer off Milwaukee starter Dustin May to tie the game at 1-1.
Rain then became a major factor. With the Reds trailing 2-1 in the fourth inning, the umpires called for a delay. The teams waited 2 hours and 22 minutes before play resumed. When action returned, the Reds quickly capitalized. Jose Trevino singled off Brewers reliever DL Hall to drive in a run, knotting the score at 2-2.
Stephenson gave the Reds their first lead in the sixth, launching a solo homer to make it 3-2. But the Brewers responded in the top of the seventh. Three straight singles off Reds reliever Tony Santillan, including an RBI knock by Jackson Chourio, tied the game at 3-3. Santillan, however, escaped further damage by striking out Contreras with the bases loaded, keeping the game level.
That set the stage for McLain's heroics. After his homer, the Reds added an insurance run in the eighth. Eugenio Suárez doubled and later scored from second on a wild pitch by Brewers pitcher Grant Anderson, extending the lead to 5-3.
Milwaukee did not go quietly. In the ninth, Emilio Pagán loaded the bases with one out, putting the tying run in scoring position. But the veteran closer induced a popup from Luis Lara and then got Contreras to fly out to end the game, securing his 21st save in 24 chances.
Andrew Abbott, who started for the Reds, saw his outing cut short by the rain delay. The 2025 All-Star has not earned a win since August 6 against the Athletics. Carlos Jorge, making his first major league start in center field for Cincinnati, went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
The Brewers, now 88-55, still hold a commanding seven-game lead in the NL Central over the Chicago Cubs. Despite the loss, their postseason positioning remains strong. The two teams will conclude their series on Sunday, with Milwaukee left-hander Kyle Harrison (10-4, 3.45 ERA) scheduled to face Reds right-hander Brady Singer (5-13, 4.83).
Article commentary
On a night when rain threatened to wash out the game entirely, the Cincinnati Reds showed that even a last-place team can deliver a statement win. Their 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers was built on power — three home runs from Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Tyler Stephenson — and a gritty relief performance that held off a dangerous lineup. For the Brewers, this loss is a minor blip on an otherwise stellar season. They entered the game with the best record in the National League and a seven-game cushion in the NL Central. Their offense, while not known for power, has been efficient in other ways. Yet on Saturday, they struggled to string together hits against a Reds bullpen that, despite some tense moments, managed to close the door. The ninth-inning rally against Emilio Pagán showed their fight, but it was not enough. What stands out is the Reds' ability to compete despite their place in the standings. Cincinnati has been inconsistent all year, but their young core — De La Cruz, McLain, Stephenson — provides flashes of brilliance. De La Cruz, in particular, has been a bright spot with 22 homers, showcasing the raw talent that makes him a future cornerstone. McLain's heroics and Stephenson's timely hitting suggest the team has building blocks, even if the overall record does not reflect it. From a strategic perspective, the game underscored the importance of bullpen depth for both teams. The Brewers' relievers, typically a strength, were tagged for four runs. Aaron Ashby, who took the loss, had been effective all season, but McLain's homer was a reminder that no pitcher is immune to mistakes. The Reds, meanwhile, got solid work from Tony Santillan, who escaped a bases-loaded jam, and Pagán, who navigated his own ninth-inning trouble. The rain delay also played a role, disrupting the rhythm of both teams. Andrew Abbott's early exit after the delay was a blow to the Reds, but their bullpen absorbed the innings. Milwaukee's starter Dustin May did not return after the delay either, leaving the game in the hands of relievers early. Looking ahead, the Brewers remain heavy favorites in the division, but games like this show the need for consistency. Their offense ranks last in home runs, which could be a vulnerability in the postseason against elite pitching. The Reds, on the other hand, are playing for pride and for individual milestones. Wins like this one, against a top-tier opponent, validate their potential. Ultimately, Saturday's game was a reminder that in baseball, even the best teams can be beaten by a few well-timed swings. The Brewers will regroup, while the Reds can savor a rare bright moment in a tough season. Sunday's matchup between Harrison and Singer will offer another test of resilience for both clubs.