Reds Falter In Game Three, Lose 2026 Ohio Cup to Guardians
CINCINNATI, OH – The ‘Ohio Cup’ called Cincinnati its home for the first time in 11 years after the 2025 season, but now it returns to more familiar surroundings in 2026.
After taking two of three games during the first series against the Cincinnati Reds back in May, the Cleveland Guardians repeated the feat on the road, winning games one and ultimately three at Great American Ball Park.
Unlike the two Saturday games, fans had to wait past the first inning for a crooked number on the scoreboard for either team. In fact, the top of the fifth inning is when the glass cover was finally removed off home plate, thanks to some sloppy play in the field from the home team.
“It was a tough way to start the inning” said Reds manager Terry Francona after an error from shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and indecision on a seemingly routine double play ball up the middle on back-to-back Guardians at-bats. “Then the end of the inning, we just had trouble finding the strike zone” added the Reds’ skipper.
When questioned about rookie Edwin Arroyo’s role in sloppy top of the fifth inning plays, Francona defended his second baseman while discussing the pace of the game.
“Sometimes the game is going fast, and guys are trying to do what they think is right. We kind of knew that things were coming at him (Arroyo) quickly. I do think it’s been good for him” said Francona after the game three defeat. “He’s not the finished product, and hopefully this will help him.”
As a result of the game changing middle inning, starting pitcher Brady Singer was removed from the game just one out into the fifth after throwing 100 pitches, giving up six hits, zero earned runs while walking four and striking out three Guardians.
“Obviously trying to get through the fifth there and then trying obviously to get through the sixth there” said the Reds right-hander. “Just trying to help the bullpen after the two games, but wasn’t able to make it through.”
After a four-run inning, the Reds did respond with one of their own in the bottom of the sixth with a run-scoring single from right-fielder Noelvi Marte. However two more Guardians runs in the seventh, including a solo home run from Kyle Manzardo were the final blow in a disappointing 6-1 defeat to close the series.
The series defeat ends a streak of three straight won for the Reds, who have two consecutive series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Athletics, before hitting the road for Chicago and Washington.
