Kansas City, MO – Nick Martinez delivered a dominant performance over seven innings and Tyler Stephenson launched a two-run home run, propelling the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Martinez (3-5) was in control from the outset, holding the Royals hitless through six shutout innings with just three singles allowed. He finished his strong outing surrendering three runs on six hits, fanning two and issuing no walks.
Stephenson provided a significant boost to the Reds’ offense, smashing his second homer of the season, a two-run shot to left in the fifth inning, which extended Cincinnati’s lead to 6-0. Stephenson was a force at the plate, collecting three of the Reds’ impressive 14 hits on the night.
The Reds wasted no time getting on the board, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on TJ Friedl’s leadoff double and Austin Hays’ sacrifice fly. Cincinnati continues to show its early-game prowess, leading the majors with 46 first-inning runs and outscoring opponents 46-21 in the opening frame.
Cincinnati continued to pile on in the third inning, with Gavin Lux and Stephenson each driving in runs amidst five Reds singles, before Will Benson added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
Kansas City finally broke through in the seventh when Salvador Perez launched a first-pitch, two-run homer, snapping Martinez’s impressive 42 2/3 innings homerless streak. Nick Loftin followed with a sacrifice fly, trimming the deficit to 6-3.
Despite the loss, several Royals extended impressive hitting streaks. Vinnie Pasquantino collected three hits, stretching his hitting streak to 10 games, including four straight with multiple hits. Maikel Garcia also extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Royals starter Michael Lorenzen (3-6) struggled, allowing six runs on a career-high 11 hits with three walks and two strikeouts over five innings as Kansas City dropped their third game in four.
In other notable news for the Reds, Elly De La Cruz, who has played shortstop for all but three innings this season, was the designated hitter, with Garrett Hampson making his first start at short.
Royals debutant John Rave made an impact with a bunt single in the seventh, putting runners on the corners with no outs. However, a challenge by Cleveland overturned the safe call at first, and Martinez efficiently retired the next two batters to escape the jam. Martinez was remarkably efficient, needing just 67 pitches to shut out the Royals for the first six innings.
Looking ahead, former Royals RHP Brady Singer (5-3, 4.88) will take the mound for Cincinnati on Tuesday. The Royals have yet to announce a starter for the upcoming game. Pregame coverage on Superstar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM KQNK begins at 6:00 p.m. with first pitch from Kauffman Stadium set for 6:40 p.m.
