Cincinnati seized control in the first inning and never looked back, defeating Tampa Bay 6-1 at Tropicana Field behind Rhett Lowder's commanding start and Sal Stewart's power display.
Lowder earned the victory with six innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits while striking out three and walking two. The right-hander carried a 3.10 ERA into the game and improved to 3-1 on the season with his efficient 93-pitch effort.
Stewart's two-run homer in the first inning set the tone, as McLain scored on the 424-foot blast to center field. The Reds added another run in the third when De La Cruz singled to right, bringing Friedl home. Hinds provided the decisive blow in the sixth, doubling to left to score both Steer and Suárez and extend Cincinnati's lead to 5-1. Stewart later scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to cap the scoring.
Jesse Scholtens absorbed the loss for Tampa Bay, surrendering five runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. Despite striking out six batters, Scholtens with a 2.93 ERA fell to 1-1 as the Rays managed just one run on Díaz's bases-loaded walk in the first inning that scored Simpson.
Cincinnati extended its winning streak to three games and improved to 14-8, maintaining first place in their division. Tampa Bay fell to 12-9 after the loss.