C&P Newswire
The Queen City roared on Sunday as Will Benson delivered a power-packed performance, launching two home runs to fuel the Cincinnati Reds’ 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. The victory sealed a three-game sweep — their first over Cleveland since 2012 — and pushed the Reds back to even at 24-24.
Benson, the Reds’ quietly emerging slugger, extended his home run streak to four straight games, the longest by a Red since Joey Votto’s epic run in 2021. His two long balls — a 399-foot blast in the fourth off struggling starter L.L. Ortiz (2-5) and a solo shot off reliever Hunter Gaddis in the sixth — gave him five homers on the season and all the spotlight on a day when pitching was just as sharp.
“I’m just trying to stay within myself and keep things simple,” Benson said postgame. “But yeah… it feels good to be in this kind of groove.”
Abbott Walks the Tightrope
Reds starter Andrew Abbott (3-0) was tested early but emerged unscathed. He loaded the bases with one out in the first inning — via a hit batter and two walks — but turned into a magician under pressure, striking out Jhonkensy Noel and inducing a lineout from Angel Martínez. From there, he cruised, tossing five scoreless innings and becoming the first Reds starter since Jim Maloney in 1969 to go hitless in the first inning of his first nine starts.
Abbott has now allowed just one earned run across his last 20 innings, a run that didn’t come Sunday.
“He’s been nails,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Even when he’s not sharp early, he finds a way to lock it in. That’s what good pitchers do.”
Pagán Slams the Door — Again
Emilio Pagán collected his third save in as many days — and 12th in 14 chances — with some high-wire theatrics in the ninth. After a leadoff double by Bo Naylor and a José Ramírez infield single, Pagán needed everything he had to strike out Carlos Santana in a 10-pitch duel and then freeze Will Brennan with a filthy splitter.
Santana had earlier driven in Cleveland’s only run with a clutch two-out single in the seventh, but the Guardians’ offense again came up short, losing their fourth straight to fall to 25-21.
Benson’s four-game home run streak marks the longest for a Cincinnati player since Votto’s seven-game streak in 2021. The Reds now have 15 homers over their past eight games
The Reds hit the road to face the Pirates Monday with lefty Nick Lodolo (3-4, 3.42) set to duel Mitch Keller (1-5, 4.15 ERA). The Guardians, meanwhile, try to stop the bleeding in Minneapolis, where Logan Allen (2-2, 3.70) takes on Bailey Ober (4-1, 3.72) in a pivotal AL Central clash.
