Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, with Sal Stewart's two-run homer providing an early spark. The victory marked the Reds' fourth straight win and improved their record to 15-8. Rhett Lowder earned a quality start on the mound.
The Reds, who entered the game last in Major League Baseball batting average and slugging percentage while averaging just 3.6 runs per game, showed offensive promise in the series opener. Every starter except Tyler Stephenson recorded at least one hit, totaling nine for the night, while solid pitching and defense held the Rays to one run. This performance extended Cincinnati's strong start, placing them first in their division with six wins in their last seven games. Matt McLain hustled for a double to center field in the top of the first, setting up Sal Stewart to launch a 3-2 pitch from Rays pitcher Jesse Scholtens over the center-field wall for a two-run homer. That blast gave Stewart eight home runs, tying him with Jordan Walker for the National League lead, and put the Reds ahead 2-0. Rhett Lowder navigated a challenging first inning, where he allowed a run with the bases loaded but struck out two to escape further damage. He went six innings, surrendering one run on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts, including efficient nine-pitch frames in the third and sixth. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz dazzled defensively with a diving stop and strong throw on Junior Caminero's grounder in the third. TJ Friedl doubled to right in the third and scored on De La Cruz's bloop single to center, extending the lead. In the sixth, with two on and two out, Rece Hinds ripped a two-run double inside the left-field foul line off Scholtens, securing the 6-1 final.
