Reds beat Twins 4-2 in a rain-shortened game on June 19, 2025. Spencer Steer's homer and Nick Lodolo's pitching extend Cincy's win streak to four.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a strange night at Great American Ball Park, with more time spent waiting on the weather than actually playing baseball. But when the dust settled and the tarps came on for the final time, the only thing that mattered was the 'W' next to the Reds' name. Cincinnati grinded out a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins in a game called after six innings, securing their fourth straight win and continuing their hottest stretch of the season.
The Reds have now scored 57 first-inning runs, second most in MLB behind the Dodgers.
The Reds' formula for success lately has been simple: strike first. They did it again on Thursday, shrugging off a two-hour rain delay at the start. After the Twins' Byron Buxton led off the game with a homer, the Reds' offense answered immediately. With two outs in the bottom of the first, Spencer Steer crushed a Bailey Ober pitch for a two-run homer, his biggest hit in a recent string of strong performances. Matt McLain and Will Benson tacked on RBI singles, and just like that, the Reds had a lead they wouldn't surrender. It's becoming a trademark for this club, which is making a habit of putting pressure on opponents from the very first pitch.
On a night that was anything but normal, Nick Lodolo provided a much-needed dose of stability on the mound. Despite giving up the leadoff shot to Buxton, the lanky lefty settled in beautifully. He navigated five innings, allowing just two more hits while striking out six Twins batters. Lodolo's ability to bounce back and pitch effectively through the stop-and-start nature of the evening was crucial. Earning his fifth win of the season (5-5), he kept Minnesota's bats quiet long enough for the game to become official, anchoring a pitching staff that has been a huge part of this recent surge.
Good teams find ways to win, and right now, the Reds are proving they're a good team. This win, their ninth in the last twelve games, pushes them to 39-35, a season-high four games over .500. More importantly, it brings them to within a single game of the final NL wild-card spot. It wasn't the prettiest win, but these are the gritty, character-building victories that define a playoff contender. They are weathering storms both literal and figurative and look more confident with each passing day.
The job isn't finished. The Reds will go for a series sweep against the Twins in the finale, sending Nick Martinez (4-7, 3.92 ERA) to the hill to face Chris Paddack. Another win would cap off a fantastic homestand and send a clear message to the rest of the National League. This team is for real, and they're just getting started. Buckle up, Reds fans.
