The Cincinnati skies opened up just as the action on the field was heating up, bringing a pause to the Tigers’ showdown at Great American Ball Park. With the Tigers leading 5-3 after six innings, umpire crew chief Laz Diaz made the call to roll out the tarp, putting a temporary halt to the game.
The Tigers had come out swinging, with Riley Greene and Javier Báez each launching home runs that electrified the early innings. Matt Vierling also made his mark with a two-run double, catapulting the Tigers to a commanding 5-0 lead.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Tigers, as lefty Framber Valdez found himself battling control issues. Over 4.1 innings, Valdez issued five walks, setting the stage for trouble.
The Reds capitalized in the fifth inning when Dane Myers drew a walk, and Matt McLain followed with a 3-1 count before smashing a two-run homer to center field.
The Tigers had opportunities to extend their lead but stumbled at key moments. In the fifth inning, with two men on and no outs, and again in the sixth with the bases loaded and no outs, double-play balls snuffed out potential rallies.
The Reds kept the pressure on, closing the gap to two runs in the sixth inning. Nathaniel Lowe took reliever Kyle Finnegan deep with a solo shot, marking the first run Finnegan has allowed this season. As the rain poured down, the suspense was palpable, with both teams eager to resume the battle once the skies cleared.