CINCINNATI — Blake Dunn delivered a clutch, walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to drive in automatic runner Spencer Steer, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a gritty 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
Despite being held to just four hits all game, the Reds found power and timing when it mattered most, fueled by a pair of home runs from Steer and a dramatic, game-tying blast in the ninth by Will Benson.
Cameron Dominates Early for Royals
For most of the night, it looked as though Royals left-hander Noah Cameron would carry Kansas City to victory. Cameron was absolutely dominant, retired the first 13 batters he faced, and tied career highs by humming through seven innings with eight strikeouts and zero walks.
The lone blemish on Cameron’s spectacular outing came with one out in the fifth inning, when Steer broke up the perfect game and no-hitter with a solo home run. Outside of that single mistake, Cameron was untouchable, recovering to strike out the side in the fifth and retiring seven straight batters right after the homer.
The Royals provided Cameron with run support in a chaotic fourth inning against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott. Abbott, who entered the game riding a stellar 1.85 ERA over his previous six starts, hit a wall in the fourth, giving up three earned runs on four hits and two walks as Kansas City loaded the bases twice. Jac Caglianone drove in the first run on a groundout, and Michael Massey padded the lead with a clutch, two-out two-run single to make it 3-0.
Reds Mount Late-Inning Power Surge
Down 3-1, the Reds began their slow-burn comeback in the eighth inning. Steer launched his second solo home run of the night—this time off Matt Strahm—to cut the deficit to 3-2 and log his fourth career multi-home run game.
With the Royals leading 3-2 in the top of the ninth, manager Matt Quatraro turned to closer Lucas Erceg to slam the door. Instead, Reds pinch-hitter Will Benson crushed a game-tying solo shot, shocking the Royals and sending the game into extra innings.
John Schreiber (0-3) took the mound for Kansas City in the 10th and allowed the game-winning hit to Dunn, suffering the loss.
Clinging to Victory in the 10th
The Royals refused to go quietly in the bottom of the 10th, threatening with runners on first and third with only one out. However, Cincinnati reliever Brock Burke (2-2) held his ground. Caglianone lined out sharply to shortstop, and Burke struck out Kyle Isbel to end the threat and secure the win.
Up Next
The teams will wrap up their series on Wednesday night. The Royals will send right-hander Stephen Kolek (3-1, 3.48 ERA) to the mound, while the Reds counter with ace right-hander Chase Burns (7-1, 1.96 ERA).
