The Reds fell to the Tigers 11-5 on June 14, 2025, as a pitching collapse overshadowed Elly De La Cruz's 14th HR. Riley Greene's big hit sealed it.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that was a late one. For Reds fans who stayed up past midnight, the rainy series opener in Detroit was a tough pill to swallow, ending in a lopsided 11-5 defeat. While the final score stings, the real story of the night was one of contrasts: brutal pitching struggles and defensive lapses on one side, and the electrifying, unstoppable force of Elly De La Cruz on the other.
Elly De La Cruz now ranks 21st in MLB with 14 home runs and 16th with 44 RBIs, cementing his status as one of the league's premier power threats.
The game, which ended after midnight due to a rain delay, was a slog from the start. Starter Nick Martinez (4-7) couldn't find his footing, and the Tigers pounced early. The real damage, however, came in a disastrous sixth inning. Relievers Scott Barlow and Taylor Rogers struggled to find the strike zone, and a bases-clearing, three-run double by Riley Greene blew the game wide open. That, combined with two homers from Gleyber Torres and a key missed diving catch by Spencer Steer, summed up a frustrating night of execution for Cincinnati.
Even in a blowout loss, the Reds' stars gave fans something to cheer about. Elly De La Cruz continued his torrid pace, launching his 14th home run of the season and adding an RBI double in the ninth. He's now on a four-game hitting streak and is batting .316 over his last five contests. Not to be outdone, TJ Friedl smashed a solo homer of his own in the third inning, keeping his team-leading batting average at a steady .294. These two remain the unwavering offensive bright spots in the lineup.
As of Saturday morning, there were no roster moves or trades announced, so the Reds will have to bounce back with the current squad. While the big-league pitching faltered Friday, the long-term outlook remains promising. The organization continues to build around its pitching-rich farm system, led by recent high draft picks like Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, both of whom are expected to be key pieces of the future, potentially as soon as next season. It's a reminder that while nights like Friday are tough, help is on the way.
One rough, rainy night doesn't define a series. The Reds have a chance to even things up today in Detroit. With the offense showing signs of life thanks to De La Cruz and Friedl, the key will be getting a clean performance on the mound and in the field. Let's hope the team can dry off, reset, and come out swinging to get back in the win column.
