Reds top Rockies 4-2 on July 14, 2025, as Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagán shine. See how Cincinnati secured a winning record before the All-Star break.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Talk about finishing strong. The Cincinnati Reds capped off a rollercoaster first half of the season on a high note, battling back to defeat the Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Monday. The win pushes the Reds to 50-47, a crucial winning record as the team heads into the much-needed All-Star break, giving fans plenty to feel good about.
The Reds played error-free defense, a clean performance that secured their 50th win of the season and a winning record at the break.
It wasn't the flashiest win, but it was exactly the kind of gritty performance you want to see heading into the break. After falling behind 2-0 in the third, the Reds' offense methodically chipped away, manufacturing runs with timely hitting. Key RBI singles from Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer highlighted the 10-hit attack. On the mound, Nick Martinez was a bulldog, settling in after the rocky third to deliver six solid innings, striking out seven and earning his seventh win. Emilio Pagán then locked it down for his 20th save, cementing the 4-2 victory and sending the Great American Ball Park crowd home happy.
While the big league club was wrapping up its game, the Reds' front office was busy building for the future. With the 83rd overall pick in the MLB Draft, Cincinnati selected right-handed pitcher Mason Morris from Ole Miss. Morris is a fascinating prospect, having bounced back from a rough 2024 to post a stellar 3.29 ERA this year. Thanks to some mechanical tweaks, his fastball now touches 99 mph to go with a nasty low-90s cutter. He joins first-round shortstop Steele Hall and second-round pitcher Aaron Watson as the cornerstones of the Reds' 2025 draft class, adding another high-upside arm to the system.
Speaking of the system, the future in Cincinnati is looking bright. MLB Pipeline just updated its organizational rankings, placing the Reds' farm system at a very respectable 11th in all of baseball. The depth is real, with five prospects cracking the leaguewide Top 100: pitchers Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, and infielders Sal Stewart, Cam Collier, and Edwin Arroyo. It's not just potential, either. Stewart, who was selected for the All-Star Futures Game, and Collier are already making noise at the Double-A level, knocking on the door of the big leagues.
So as the players get a well-deserved rest, Reds Country can feel optimistic. The team is over .500, the draft has brought in exciting new talent, and the pipeline is stocked. The focus now shifts to the second half and a legitimate push for the postseason. Enjoy the break, because the real fun is just getting started.
