Reds top Rays 7-2 on July 26, 2025, as Tyler Stephenson's homer and a lights-out bullpen performance secure a key win. See how the Reds are heating up!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Cincinnati Reds are heating up at just the right time. Behind a powerful swing from Tyler Stephenson and a steady performance from Nick Martinez, the Reds secured a decisive 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. The win pushes the Reds to 54-50 on the season, keeping the momentum rolling as the team continues its hunt for a postseason spot.
A 437-foot blast with a 111 mph exit velocity.
Tyler Stephenson was the offensive star of the show, launching a homer and driving in three crucial runs to pace the Reds' attack. But the story of the game was the pitching. Starter Nick Martinez delivered a quality outing, battling through five innings while allowing just two runs and striking out five. From there, the bullpen was simply untouchable. The quartet of Lyon Richardson, Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagan combined for four scoreless innings, slamming the door on any hopes of a Rays comeback. It was a complete team effort that showcased the formula for winning baseball in late July.
The bullpen's stellar performance was made even sweeter by news from the front office. Veteran reliever Scott Barlow was activated from the paternity list just in time for the stretch run. With a 3.63 ERA in 49 appearances, Barlow's return adds a steady, high-leverage arm back into the mix. To make room, rookie right-hander Luis Mey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. While Mey showed flashes of potential with a 4.40 ERA in 15 games, getting Barlow's veteran presence back is a significant upgrade as the Reds gear up for high-stakes games.
While the big-league club was taking care of business, a tremor was felt down on the farm. Shortstop prospect Tyson Lewis, in his very first game since being promoted to Single-A Daytona, announced his presence with authority. The 2024 second-round pick crushed a jaw-dropping 437-foot home run with an exit velocity of 111 mph. It's the kind of raw power that has scouts buzzing and has already vaulted Lewis into Keith Law's top-60 MLB prospects. After hitting .340 in the Arizona Complex League, Lewis is proving that the hype is very, very real.
Further down the pipeline, the DSL Reds fell in a tight 6-4 extra-inning contest. Despite the loss, there were bright spots in the development of the organization's youngest talents. Adolfo Sanchez reached base twice, scoring a run and driving one in, while Hansel Jimenez collected two hits, including a double. These are the names to file away for the future as the Reds continue to build a sustainable winner from the ground up.
It was a near-perfect Saturday for the Cincinnati Reds. A convincing win, a strengthened bullpen, and a glimpse of a future superstar all point to an organization firing on all cylinders. With the team building momentum and key pieces falling into place, the road to the playoffs looks more promising than ever. The Reds will look to complete the sweep of the Rays tomorrow, carrying the energy from a day that gave fans plenty to cheer about, both for today and for years to come.
