The Rays fell to the Reds 7-2 on July 26, 2025, as Zack Littell's home run woes continued. Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson powered Cincy's offense.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night, another frustrating result. The Tampa Bay Rays' skid continued on Friday, as they fell 7-2 to the Cincinnati Reds in a game that highlighted the team's recent struggles. A potent Reds lineup, powered by Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl, overwhelmed starter Zack Littell, who once again battled the long ball, sending the Rays to their seventh loss in the last ten games.
Zack Littell allowed his 26th home run of the season, the most by any pitcher in MLB this year.
The box score tells a familiar, frustrating story. While the Rays managed to scratch across a couple of runs thanks to an RBI single from Jonathan Aranda and an RBI double from Taylor Walls, they were simply out-hit and out-powered. Reds starter Nick Martinez held the lineup in check over five innings, and Cincinnati's offense was relentless. Elly De La Cruz was a constant threat, going 4-for-5, but the decisive blows came from Tyler Stephenson's three-RBI night and TJ Friedl's two-run homer. The loss dropped the Rays to a precarious 53-51, leaving them in fourth place in a tough AL East.
The spotlight, unfortunately, shines brightest on Zack Littell's biggest weakness this season: the home run. His six-inning, five-run performance was defined by the 10 hits he surrendered and, most notably, his MLB-leading 26th homer allowed. While Littell (8-8) has been a workhorse for the rotation, this persistent issue is costing the team dearly. In a game where runs were at a premium for the Rays, giving up a two-run shot to Friedl in the sixth inning felt like a back-breaker. This trend is becoming a major liability as the team fights for a playoff spot.
As the on-field struggles mount, the silence from the front office is becoming deafening. Saturday brought no news of trades, roster moves, or even minor league call-ups to shake things up. With the team slumping and the trade deadline just days away, the lack of activity is notable. Fans are left to wonder if this is the calm before a storm of moves or if the organization plans to ride this out with the current squad. With no injuries or other team news to report, the focus remains squarely on the players on the field to find a solution.
The Rays are at a critical juncture. This slide has taken them from a solid contender to a team fighting to stay above .500. They must find a way to snap out of this funk, and fast. The series continues against the Reds, offering an immediate chance for redemption, but with the trade deadline looming, the next few days will be pivotal for the moves that are—or aren't—made to shape the rest of this season.
