Red Sox split a doubleheader with the Reds on July 3, 2025. After Wilyer Abreu led a Game 1 win, Christian Encarnacion-Strand's grand slam sunk Boston late.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day that had everything for Red Sox Nation: the thrill of a hard-fought victory, the promise of a doubleheader sweep, and the ultimate gut-punch of a late-inning collapse. The Sox split their day-night affair with the Reds in Cincinnati, securing a win in a game suspended from the night before, only to see the nightcap slip away on one swing of the bat.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand's first career grand slam in the seventh inning completely flipped the script, turning a potential Red Sox sweep into a frustrating split.
The day started on a high note as the Sox finished what they started. In the conclusion of Wednesday's suspended game, Boston's bats came alive late. Wilyer Abreu delivered a clutch, tie-breaking RBI single in the eighth inning, followed by a Trevor Story RBI double that provided crucial insurance. Brayan Bello was a rock out of the bullpen, tossing five innings of stellar relief to set the stage for Aroldis Chapman, who slammed the door for his 15th save in a 5-3 victory. It felt like the perfect setup for a big day.
Riding the momentum, things looked good in the regularly scheduled game, especially when Wilyer Abreu continued his hot day with a two-run homer. But the good vibes evaporated in the bottom of the seventh. The Reds loaded the bases, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand stepped to the plate and crushed his first-ever grand slam, erasing Boston's lead and catapulting Cincinnati to an eventual 8-4 win. It was a deflating moment that single-handedly decided the game and soured the day's results.
The bullpen's performance, particularly in the second game, brings the team's pitching depth into sharp focus. The day's roster moves tell a story of a unit in flux. While it was great to see lefty Chris Murphy activated from the injured list, the news was tempered by Luis Guerrero landing on the IL with an elbow strain. With Justin Slaten also being transferred to the 60-day IL and Hunter Dobbins still recovering from his own elbow issue, the Red Sox are navigating a tricky period of injuries that will test their depth and resilience.
The Red Sox leave Cincinnati with a series split, a frustrating 'what could have been' feeling, and a bullpen held together with new faces and hope. As they head into the weekend series, all eyes will be on how the shuffled pitching staff holds up and whether the offense can consistently deliver the big hit when it matters most. One thing's for sure: it was a memorable, if not entirely satisfying, day of baseball.
