Martinez deals, offense delivers, Reds win

Reds 7 Royals 4

Tyler Stephenson homered, collected three hits and drove in three in his best game of the season. Nick Martinez was sharp and efficient over the first six innings, before running into trouble in a three run 7th.

The Reds led 6-0 into the 7th inning. This time, the bullpen handled the final six outs......but not without drama. Emilio Pagan loaded the bases in the 9th and balked in a run before recording the final out.

Incredibly, Reds (27-28) have scored six or more runs over four straight games for the first time since the first four games of 2024. 

Offense: H, BB, K. 9 players had hits. Leadoff reached 1st five innings. Runs last 4 games: 6-6-8-6. 
Beat up former teammate Michael Lorenzen: 5 IN, 11 H, 6 R.
Stephenson: 3 H. HR, 3 RBI. 
Friedl: 2 H, 2B, BB, R. 4 straight multi-hit games, 6 of 7. 
Elly: H, BB, R. DH. Clearly hobbled. 
Hampson: 2 H. Started at SS. 
Lux: H, 2 R, RBI, BB. 2nd start 3B ‘25. 
Hays: 3B, 3rd in 4 games. RBI. 1st Red w/ 3B B-B games since Phillip Ervin (‘19). 
Espinal: 2 H, 2B, RBI replacing Lux.

Martinez: 7 IN, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 2 K. 79 pitches. 6th straight quality start. 
24 pitches 1st three innings. 50 thru 5. 66 thru 6. Lost shutout in 7th. 
ERA last 7 starts: 2.27.

Bullpen: 
Santillan: 1.0 ....Pagan: 1.0, R