The game was decided in the first inning. Cincinnati scored four runs in the opening frame and never looked back, cruising to a 9-2 victory over Detroit at Great American Ball Park.
Sal Stewart carried the offense with five RBIs on three hits, including the decisive three-run homer that erased an early 1-0 deficit. Stewart went 3-for-4 with a walk, raising his season average to .313 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. Elly De La Cruz added a two-run homer in the second inning, while TJ Friedl contributed three hits and capped the scoring with a solo shot in the eighth.
Stewart's three-run blast in the first inning proved decisive after McGonigle had given Detroit an early lead with a solo homer to center. The Reds answered immediately, with Stewart's 366-foot drive to left scoring McLain and De La Cruz. Nathaniel Lowe followed with another homer to right, extending the lead to 4-1 before the inning ended.
Jack Flaherty lasted just two innings for Detroit, allowing six runs on five hits with four strikeouts. His ERA: 5.33. Brady Singer earned the victory for Cincinnati, working 5.1 innings and allowing eight hits while striking out three. Singer improved to 2-1 with a 4.97 ERA.
Cincinnati improved to 17-9 and maintained first place in their division. Detroit fell to 14-13. Flaherty is four games away from 200 career appearances.