Reds top Guardians 7-3 on June 10, 2025, as Wade Miley makes a heroic return from surgery. TJ Friedl's homer helps Cincy win the Ohio Cup for the first time since 2014.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a night filled with narrative, nostalgia, and sheer grit, the Cincinnati Reds didn't just beat their in-state rivals; they reclaimed a piece of Ohio history. Led by the improbable and inspiring return of 38-year-old Wade Miley from Tommy John surgery, the Reds defeated the Guardians 7-3, securing the coveted Ohio Cup for the first time in a decade and climbing back above .500 in a single, glorious evening.
We know what we have in this clubhouse. We're just going to take that and roll with it.
Making his first Major League start since April 16, 2024, Wade Miley was the heart and soul of Tuesday's victory. Stepping onto the mound in place of the injured Hunter Greene, the veteran lefty battled through five crucial innings. After surrendering three runs in a rocky third, Miley settled in, shutting down the Guardians to earn the win. He allowed five hits and walked four while striking out two, but his impact went far beyond the box score. His presence provided a tangible boost to the entire dugout.
While Miley handled the emotional core of the game, the offense provided the fireworks. TJ Friedl, continuing his torrid season, blasted an early home run to set the tone and later added a single to raise his average to .295. After Cleveland took the lead, Jake Fraley answered with a solo shot in the fourth to tie it. The Reds took the lead for good on a Christian Encarnacion-Strand sacrifice fly in the fifth and never looked back, tacking on runs relentlessly. Connor Joe's ninth-inning RBI double was the exclamation point on a night where the Reds scored in seven of the nine innings.
This wasn't just another win. By improving to 34-33, the Reds moved over the .500 mark, a significant psychological milestone for a team that has hovered around it all season. More importantly, clinching the Ohio Cup breaks a drought that stretched back to 2014, giving fans long-awaited bragging rights. The victory keeps them within striking distance of the division-leading Cubs, now 6.5 games back, and injects a powerful dose of momentum and belief into a clubhouse that feels it's just getting started.
The Reds have a golden opportunity to make a statement with a sweep of their rivals. With the surging Andrew Abbott (5-1, 2.18 ERA) on the mound against Cleveland's Sven Cecconi, Cincinnati will look to secure its fifth straight win over the Guardians. Another victory would not only be sweet, but it would further solidify this team's position above .500 and prove that this recent surge is the start of a serious summer climb in the NL Central.
