Andrew Abbott's historic complete game shutout leads the Reds past the Guardians 1-0 on June 11, 2025. Elly De La Cruz sets a new team stolen base record.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a throwback performance that will be talked about for years, Andrew Abbott painted a masterpiece at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday. The lefty went the distance, silencing the Cleveland Guardians in a tense 1-0 victory that secured a five-game winning streak and the season's Ohio Cup for the Reds. It was a night of masterful pitching, timely hitting, and a little bit of history.
110 pitches, 9 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs. Andrew Abbott delivered the first complete game shutout by a Reds pitcher since 2021.
It was the definition of a pitcher's duel, but Andrew Abbott was simply on another level. Over nine dominant innings, he allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out five, completely baffling the Guardians' lineup. The game's lone run came in the fifth inning when a determined Will Benson hustled his way to a leadoff double, later scoring on a clutch RBI single by Spencer Steer. Abbott's 110-pitch effort wasn't just his first career complete game; it was a statement that he's a true ace for this rotation.
While Abbott was dealing, Elly De La Cruz was doing what he does best: making history on the basepaths. With a swipe of second base, Elly recorded his 20th steal of the season. This wasn't just another steal; it officially made him the first player in the long and storied history of the Cincinnati Reds to steal 20+ bases in each of his first three seasons. His speed is a constant threat that changes the geometry of the game and puts immense pressure on opponents, perfectly complementing the team's emerging power.
The good news didn't stop on the field. Before the game, the Reds activated first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the injured list. After being sidelined with lower back inflammation, his return is a massive boost for a lineup that has missed his power bat. Slotting CES back into the middle of the order gives the Reds a much-needed jolt of slugging potential and deepens a lineup that is starting to look formidable.
The success is echoing down to the farm. While the big league club was winning, top prospect Burns was putting on his own show at Double-A, spinning a shutout of his own. His continued dominance, along with strong performances from other recent draft picks, shows that the organizational pipeline is flowing. The Reds aren't just winning now; they are building a sustainable foundation for success for years to come.
With a five-game winning streak, a sweep of the Ohio Cup, and key players getting healthy, the Reds are firing on all cylinders. The combination of dominant pitching, timely hitting, and historic speed is a recipe for success. As they look ahead to the next series, the challenge will be to maintain this incredible momentum and prove that this hot streak is the new standard for Cincinnati baseball.
