Reds rookie Chase Burns gets rocked in a 13-6 loss to the Red Sox on July 1, 2025. Wilyer Abreu's historic homers lead Boston to a blowout win at Fenway.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that was a dose of reality. Just a week after dazzling in his MLB debut, Reds rookie Chase Burns was served a harsh welcome to the big leagues at Fenway Park. The much-hyped righty was knocked out after recording just a single out, turning a promising start into a full-blown nightmare and setting the stage for a brutal 13-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
One out, seven runs allowed. That was the final, brutal line for rookie Chase Burns in his second career start.
The first inning felt like an eternity. Burns, who looked so poised in his first outing, couldn't find his command and the Red Sox pounced. By the time he was pulled after allowing seven runs (five earned), the Reds were in a hole they would never climb out of. The game became the Wilyer Abreu show, as the Boston outfielder hit both a grand slam and a rare inside-the-park home run, a feat that will haunt Reds fans' memories. While the pitching was a disaster, Austin Hays provided the lone offensive sparks, launching a solo homer and a two-run triple. It was a commendable effort, but ultimately a footnote in a game that was over before it really began.
If you need to wash the taste of that loss out of your mouth, look no further than the Chattanooga Lookouts. Top prospect Cam Collier is absolutely scorching the ball to start his Double-A career. Through his first 10 games, the 20-year-old third baseman is slashing a ridiculous .382/.512/.441. While the power numbers are still developing, his elite on-base skills and advanced approach at the plate are on full display. Collier represents the next wave, a powerful reminder that even on the darkest nights in the big leagues, the future remains incredibly bright.
Speaking of the farm, there are some other notable movements in the prospect rankings. Lefty Adam Serwinowski has made a massive leap, jumping from 30th to 12th on the team's prospect list. His fastball is now touching 97 mph, and his breaking ball is becoming a true weapon. He's a name to watch. On the other side of the coin, right-hander Lyon Richardson has fallen off the Top 30 list entirely after struggling with control in both Triple-A and his brief MLB stints. It's a stark illustration of how quickly fortunes can change in player development.
One game, no matter how ugly, doesn't define a season. The Reds will have to shake this one off quickly as they send veteran Brady Singer (7-6, 4.31 ERA) to the mound tomorrow to stop the bleeding. He'll face Boston's Richard Fitts in what feels like a crucial game to get the team back on track. Let's hope for a short memory and a much-needed win to even the series.
