The Cincinnati Reds used a fast start and steady bullpen work Saturday night to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 at Great American Ball Park.
Nathaniel Lowe delivered the key hit with a three-run double during a four-run first inning as Cincinnati snapped a three-game losing streak. The Reds took control early against Angels rookie starter George Klassen and never gave Los Angeles a chance to fully recover.
The game also featured the first ejection of new Angels manager Kurt Suzuki, who argued multiple calls with the umpiring crew during a tense night for Los Angeles.
The Angels struggled with pitching command, defensive pressure, and late-inning mistakes while the Reds capitalized on nearly every opportunity.
Reds Build Immediate Lead
Cincinnati wasted no time taking control.
The Reds loaded the bases early in the first inning and pushed across the opening run on Sal Stewart’s RBI single. Moments later, Lowe ripped a bases-clearing double into the gap to extend the lead to 4-0.
The aggressive approach immediately put pressure on Klassen, who struggled with his command throughout his second major league start.
Cincinnati continued adding to the lead in the second inning when Spencer Steer hit a solo home run that curled around the left-field foul pole.
The Reds consistently attacked early counts and forced Angels pitchers into difficult situations throughout the game.
Klassen Exits Early
George Klassen’s night ended quickly after command issues and an injury concern.
The rookie right-hander lasted only two-plus innings before leaving the game because of a bruised nail on his right index finger. He allowed five runs, five hits, and five walks before exiting.
Klassen struggled to locate consistently and frequently worked from behind in counts. Cincinnati hitters stayed patient and forced him into high-pressure situations from the opening inning.
The early exit placed heavy pressure on the Angels bullpen.
Brent Suter helped stabilize the game by recording 11 outs on only 39 pitches. His efficient relief outing prevented the game from becoming even more lopsided during the middle innings.
Still, the Angels never fully recovered from the early deficit.
Trout Helps Angels Rally Briefly
Los Angeles showed signs of life during the fourth inning.
Nolan Schanuel drove in a run with a groundout before Mike Trout lined a two-run double that trimmed the Reds’ lead to 5-3.
Trout once again provided the biggest offensive moment for the Angels. The veteran outfielder continued his strong early-season form and helped keep Los Angeles within striking distance midway through the game.
The Angels briefly gained momentum after Trout’s hit, but they failed to generate another sustained offensive push afterward.
Cincinnati’s bullpen settled the game down quickly and prevented further damage.
Reds Bullpen Holds Control
The Reds received important relief work after starter Brandon Williamson exited.
Williamson struggled with his command and walked a career-high six batters across four innings. Despite the control problems, he limited the damage enough for Cincinnati’s offense to maintain the lead.
Pierce Johnson earned the win after throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. The bullpen combined to shut down the Angels over the final innings and protected the early advantage effectively.
Cincinnati pitchers consistently stranded runners and forced Los Angeles hitters into weak contact during key moments.
The Angels left several opportunities unconverted after their fourth-inning rally.
Suzuki Ejected During Frustrating Night
The game became increasingly tense for Angels manager Kurt Suzuki.
Suzuki argued multiple calls throughout the night and eventually received his first ejection as Angels manager during the eighth inning.
The final confrontation came after catcher Logan O’Hoppe was called for interference while running to first base on a dropped third strike.
Suzuki strongly disagreed with the ruling and left the dugout to argue with the umpiring crew before getting tossed from the game.
Earlier in the night, he also challenged an automated ball-strike review involving Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.
The frustrations reflected a difficult night overall for Los Angeles, which struggled to regain control after the rough opening innings.
De La Cruz Sparks Reds Offense
Elly De La Cruz remained one of Cincinnati’s most dynamic players throughout the game.
The shortstop collected three hits and consistently pressured the Angels with his speed and aggressive baserunning.
Cincinnati also benefited from productive at-bats across the lineup, especially during the early innings when the Reds forced Klassen into trouble repeatedly.
The balanced offensive effort helped the Reds avoid another disappointing result after entering the night on a three-game losing streak.
Angels Continue Searching For Consistency
The loss highlighted several ongoing concerns for Los Angeles.
The Angels struggled again with pitching depth and defensive execution, particularly after Klassen’s early departure. Walks and wild pitches continued creating problems late in the game.
Reliever Chase Silseth allowed two runs in the eighth inning on wild pitches while also issuing four walks and throwing three wild pitches overall.
Those mistakes effectively ended any realistic hopes of a comeback for Los Angeles.
The Angels offense showed occasional flashes behind Trout, but the lineup again lacked consistency after the middle innings.
Important Win For Cincinnati
The victory gave Cincinnati an opportunity to reset after several frustrating performances earlier in the week.
The Reds controlled the game early, received enough pitching support, and capitalized on mistakes from the Angels throughout the night.
Strong offensive production from Lowe and De La Cruz provided needed momentum heading into the series finale.
Cincinnati also improved its overall energy level after struggling offensively during parts of the recent losing streak.
Up Next
The series concludes Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati.
The Angels are expected to send José Soriano to the mound. Soriano entered the matchup undefeated with a 0.45 ERA and had quickly become one of the most effective pitchers in baseball early in the season.
The Reds planned to counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott in the rubber game of the three-game series.