The eighth inning belonged to both teams, but Cincinnati made theirs count first. The Reds erupted for four runs in the top half, then survived Cleveland's desperate rally in the bottom to escape Progressive Field with a 7-6 victory.
Matt McLain anchored Cincinnati's offense with a 2-for-3 performance that included a two-run homer and three RBIs. The second baseman's 377-foot blast to left center in the eighth inning capped a decisive four-run frame that stretched the Reds' lead to 6-1. JJ Bleday went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, while Spencer Steer added two hits and two runs.
The Reds built their advantage methodically. McLain walked with the bases loaded in the second inning to bring home Bleday, then Tyler Stephenson's sacrifice fly scored Steer for a 2-0 lead. Elly De La Cruz doubled home Hayes in the fifth before the eighth-inning burst. Steer singled home Bleday to start the rally, then McLain's homer scored Steer for the knockout punch.
Cleveland refused to fold quietly. Rhys Hoskins homered in the sixth to break the shutout, then the Guardians mounted a furious eighth-inning comeback. Travis Bazzana singled home Hoskins, Brayan Rocchio walked in a run, Steven Kwan drew another RBI walk, and Jose Ramirez's sacrifice fly made it 6-5. The rally fell short despite one final run in the ninth.
Andrew Abbott earned the win with five innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits while walking three. Tanner Bibee took the loss after surrendering three runs over 6.2 innings. Hoskins reached 500 career runs scored in this game, becoming the 500th player to reach that milestone. Cincinnati snapped a losing streak to improve to 23-21, while Cleveland's three-game winning streak ended as they fell to 24-21.