Tyler Stephenson hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to power the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in their home opener at Globe Life Field. The win came on Friday afternoon in Arlington, improving the Reds to 4-3 on the young season. Spencer Steer sparked the decisive rally with a leadoff double.
The Reds trailed or tied through much of the game against Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore. Steer provided an early spark with a two-run homer in the second inning, giving Cincinnati a 2-0 lead. Elly De La Cruz added a solo shot in the sixth to tie the score at 2-2 before the late drama unfolded against reliever Chris Martin in the ninth, which was locked at 3-3 entering the frame according to accounts from the game. Steer led off with a double to left-center, setting the stage for Stephenson's full-count drive to right-center—his first homer of the season after starting 1-for-13 overall and hitless earlier that day in his first two at-bats. Stephenson leads off the seventh with a single too, going 2-for-4 total, while Steer finished 2-for-4 after entering 1-for-17 on the year. “Just trying to get the job done, get Spence over,” Stephenson said. “He kind of made a mistake out over the plate and I was able to drive it out. Just happy with that swing.” Steer praised the at-bat: “That was an incredible at-bat. He was fighting off some tough pitches... capping it off with unbelievable swing.” Manager Terry Francona noted the lineup's early struggles beyond rookie Sal Stewart's .474 average through six games, with the rest batting .155 collectively. Despite only one quality start from the rotation so far, the Reds have nine homers already after ranking 21st last season. Steer reflected on his own slow 2025 start: “You can’t hit the panic button early... Just staying patient and sticking with the process.” Both he and Stephenson drew from sluggish beginnings last year—Steer 6-for-54 early, Stephenson 9-for-52 after injury—to emphasize persistence over 150-plus games.
