Reds lead Braves 1-0 in the rain-suspended Bristol Classic on Aug 3, 2025. Will Benson's RBI single highlights a quick start before the delay. See what's next.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In what was supposed to be a historic night at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves managed just one-third of an inning before the skies opened up, forcing a rain suspension. But in that brief window, the Reds' offense revved its engines, jumping out to a quick 1-0 lead and giving fans a taste of what's to come when play resumes Sunday.
Three hits, one run, and a 1-0 lead. All before the first out of the top of the first was even recorded.
The action was fast and furious from the first pitch. Matt McLain led off with a single, and Elly De La Cruz followed with one of his own. That set the stage for Will Benson, who ripped a single to left, scoring McLain and sending De La Cruz to second. The rally chased Braves starter A.J. Cox after he allowed three hits and a run in a disastrous 0.1 innings. Just as the Reds were threatening to blow the game open, the umpires called for the tarps, pausing the highly anticipated Speedway Classic.
The suspended game leaves the Reds in a holding pattern with a 58-53 record. They remain third in the NL Central, 8.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Every game is critical down the stretch, especially against a powerhouse team like Atlanta. Finishing this game with a win on Sunday is paramount to building momentum as the playoff chase heats up.
While the big-league club waited out the rain, the future of the organization continued to shine. No. 7 prospect Tyson Lewis is absolutely scorching the ball for the Daytona Tortugas, slashing an eye-popping .330/.410/.557 over his last 30 days. Since his promotion to full-season ball, he's been a force with eight extra-base hits and five steals. Not to be outdone, fellow outfield prospect Héctor Rodríguez launched his second home run of the season today, continuing a strong power display. The pipeline is humming.
All eyes now turn to Sunday's 1:00 PM ET resumption. The Reds will pick things up with runners on first and second and just one out in the top of the first. It's an unusual situation, but it's a golden opportunity to secure a key victory against a top contender and start a crucial week on the right foot. Let's hope the weather cooperates and the offense stays hot.
