Nolan Arenado's clutch double powered the Cardinals to a 6-3 win over the Reds on June 20, 2025, spoiling another homer from Elly De La Cruz. Recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating Friday night in St. Louis for the Reds and their fans. In a classic divisional showdown that felt within reach, one swing of the bat proved to be the difference. A bases-clearing double by Nolan Arenado broke the game open, handing the Cincinnati Reds a 6-3 loss to the Cardinals and highlighting a familiar, painful theme: missed opportunities.
The Reds left 8 runners on base and went a dismal 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The game turned on a dime in the bottom of the fourth. With the score knotted at 2-2, starter Brady Singer ran into trouble, loading the bases for Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. Arenado did what superstars do, lacing a double that cleared the bases and put St. Louis ahead for good. Singer (7-5) was tagged with the loss, ultimately allowing 5 runs over 5 innings. While he managed 4 strikeouts, the damage was done in that one fateful frame. The bullpen, led by a scoreless 8th from Alexis Díaz, held the line, but the offense couldn't mount the necessary comeback.
Despite the loss, there were reasons to cheer. Elly De La Cruz continued his torrid power display, launching his 17th home run of the season to account for two of the Reds' runs. He later posted on Instagram, 'Still grinding. More to come,' a sentiment that surely resonates with the fanbase. The game also marked the welcome return of Jonathan India from the injured list. Batting second and playing second base, India went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solid return after his hamstring strain. Adding to the positives, TJ Friedl was a pest on the basepaths, collecting two hits and swiping his 20th bag of the year, making him the first Red to reach that milestone in 2025.
While the big-league club struggled, top pitching prospect Rhett Lowder was putting on a clinic for the Triple-A Louisville Bats. The 2023 first-round pick was simply dominant, carving up hitters for 9 strikeouts over 6 shutout innings. He allowed just 3 hits and a single walk, lowering his ERA to an impressive 2.87. With the Reds' rotation showing some vulnerability, performances like this from Lowder are more than just encouraging—they're a signal that high-end help could be on the way sooner rather than later.
Losing to a rival always stings, and the inability to get the clutch hit is a trend the Reds need to reverse quickly. But Friday wasn't all bad news. With India back in the fold, Elly's bat providing consistent thunder, and Rhett Lowder looking like the real deal in Triple-A, the pieces for a summer run are still there. The Reds will need to flush this one and come back tomorrow ready to even the series. The talent is there; now it's about execution.
