Fireworks in Cincinnati: Friedl’s Blast and Elly’s Four-Hit Surge Lift Reds Over Rays

Friedl’s Blast, De La Cruz’s Four-Hit Night Power Reds to Comeback Win Over Rays

TJ Friedl crushed a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the 6th inning to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-2 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds rallied in the 4th inning with a burst of small-ball magic, including a pair of bunt singles down the third-base line. Elly De La Cruz led the offensive charge with a four-hit performance that featured two doubles, while Tyler Stephenson added a solo shot to right field and finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

Cincinnati’s offense showed off its growing depth throughout the lineup. Austin Hays went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and Noelvi Marte contributed a 2-for-4 night with an RBI and a run scored from the ninth spot in the order.

Starter Nick Martinez delivered a solid outing, allowing just two earned runs over five innings (93 pitches), before turning the game over to a lockdown bullpen effort that preserved the lead.

The win moves the Reds to four games above .500 with the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching. With other teams making big moves—Josh Naylor going to Seattle and Ryan McMahon heading to the Yankees—Cincinnati remains in the mix, hoping to strengthen the roster as long as the wins keep coming.

Friday’s win marked a strong start to a critical homestand, and the Reds will look to build on it Saturday night at 6:40 PM ET when Andrew Abbott takes the mound.