Christian Encarnacion-Strand's grand slam led the Reds to an 8-4 comeback win over the Red Sox on July 3, 2025. Recap the stunning 5-run 7th inning!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just a day before the actual Fourth of July fireworks, Christian Encarnacion-Strand lit up Great American Ball Park with some pyrotechnics of his own. His first career grand slam capped a stunning five-run seventh inning, propelling the Reds to a thrilling 8-4 comeback victory over the Boston Red Sox and sending a jolt of energy through the team as they head into a pivotal holiday series.
It was his first career grand slam and sixth homer of the season, breaking a recent slump in the most dramatic way possible.
Talk about a slump-buster. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who entered the game hitting just .206, delivered the biggest hit of the season on Thursday. With the bases loaded in a tense seventh inning against Boston, CES crushed his first-ever grand slam, turning a deficit into a lead the Reds would not relinquish. The blast was the centerpiece of a five-run frame that led to an 8-4 win. Encarnacion-Strand finished the night 2-for-5, a massive confidence boost for the young slugger. Starter Nick Martinez battled through 6 2/3 innings, keeping the team in the game long enough for the offense to explode.
Riding the high from Thursday's incredible win, the Reds are kicking off a crucial three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies tonight. The holiday crowd is in for a treat as one of the best pitchers in baseball, Andrew Abbott, takes the mound. Abbott has been nothing short of sensational this season, boasting a 7-1 record and a sparkling 1.79 ERA. Facing a tough Phillies lineup, Abbott's dominance will be key to starting this important series with a win and keeping the positive momentum rolling.
The excitement isn't just happening in Cincinnati. The future of the Reds was on full display down in Double-A, where top prospect Sal Stewart launched a game-winning home run for the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday. It's yet another reminder of the incredible depth in the Reds' farm system. While the big-league club is winning with dramatic flair, the next wave of talent is developing and showing they have the clutch gene, too. Stewart's blast is a promising sign for the years to come.
With the momentum from a dramatic comeback, an ace on the hill for the holiday, and a farm system churning out future stars, the Reds are giving fans plenty to celebrate this Fourth of July weekend. All eyes are now on the Phillies series to see if this spark can ignite a mid-season surge.
