Tigers vs Reds: Complete Box Score and Full Game Recap of the Cincinnati Blowout
The Tigers vs Reds, April 25, 2026, game started with a bang. Then it ended with a whimper. The Tigers vs Reds score on April 25, 2026, was Cincinnati Reds 9, Detroit Tigers 2 – a blowout that felt even bigger than the numbers suggest.
The Detroit Tigers vs Cincinnati Reds results from Saturday night showed one team flying high and the other getting grounded hard. Tigers vs Reds match stats, April 2026, reveal six Reds home runs, a five-run first inning that broke the game open, and a Tigers bullpen that couldn’t stop the bleeding.
Here’s the official Tigers vs Reds box score April 25, the complete Tigers vs Reds full game recap, and the Tigers vs Reds highlights April 25, 2026 – broken down simply, without any of the fancy stuff.
Just the real, messy story of a baseball game that got out of hand fast. Let’s dive into the Tigers vs Reds inning-by-inning score, the key moments, and what it all means for both teams moving forward.
DETROIT TIGERS
CINCINNATI REDS
| Detroit Tigers | |
|---|---|
| Runs | 2 |
| Hits | 8 |
| Home Runs | 2 |
| Walks | 4 |
| Strikeouts | 8 |
| Left on Base | 6 |
| Batting Avg | .250 |
| Cincinnati Reds | |
|---|---|
| Runs | 9 |
| Hits | 11 |
| Home Runs | 4 |
| Walks | 5 |
| Strikeouts | 9 |
| Left on Base | 7 |
| Batting Avg | .324 |
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. McGonigle (SS) | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| R. Greene (LF) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| W. Perez (RF) | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Torkelson (1B) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| C. Keith (3B) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. Stewart (1B) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| E. De La Cruz (SS) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| T. Friedl (CF) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| K. Hayes (3B) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| N. Lowe (DH) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Flaherty (L, 0-2) | 2.0 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| B. Smith | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| T. Holton | 1.2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| C. Seabold | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D. Anderson | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. Singer (W, 2-1) | 5.1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| C. Phillips | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| G. Ashcraft | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| S. Moll | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| E. Pagán | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🐯 Tigers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| ⚾ Reds | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 | 11 | 0 |
- Sal Stewart (CIN): 3-4, 1 HR, 5 RBI.
- Elly De La Cruz (CIN): 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 HR.
- Kevin McGonigle (DET): 3-5, leadoff HR.
- Spencer Torkelson homered in his 4th consecutive game.
- Reds outscored Tigers 7–2 across first three innings.
- All four Reds home runs came off Tigers starters/relievers.
- Cincinnati pitchers combined for 8 scoreless relief innings.
- Attendance: 34,112 (sellout).
- 🚨 Series update: Reds lead series 2-0 (Game 3: April 26).
Tigers vs Reds Inning by Inning Score – How the Reds Ran Away
Want the straight Tigers vs Reds inning-by-inning score? Here’s how the runs piled up:
| Inning | Tigers | Reds | What Happened |
| 1st | 1 | 3 | McGonigle leadoff homer, Stewart 3‑run blast |
| 2nd | 0 | 3 | De La Cruz 2‑run homer |
| 3rd | 0 | 1 | Friedl solo shot |
| 4th | 1 | 0 | Torkelson solo homer |
| 5th | 0 | 0 | Scoreless frame |
| 6th | 0 | 2 | Stewart two‑run single |
| 7th | 0 | 0 | Quiet inning |
| 8th | 0 | 0 | Friedl homer off Anderson |
| 9th | 0 | 0 | Game over |
Tigers 2, Reds 9
Here’s what actually went down – and trust me, Reds fans had a much better time than Tigers fans.
First Inning – The Pop‑Off
The Tigers struck first. Rookie Kevin McGonigle led off the game with a solo home run off Reds starter Brady Singer. He turned on a second‑pitch sinker and sent it 405 feet to straightaway center with a blistering 105.2 mph exit velocity. Tigers 1‑0. Good start, right? Wrong.
Then Jack Flaherty took the mound for Detroit. And things got ugly fast.
Flaherty walked Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz back‑to‑back. Two free passes. Then Sal Stewart crushed a 3‑0 fastball over the wall – a three‑run home run, his ninth of the season. 3‑1 Reds already.
And it got worse four pitches later. Nathaniel Lowe, fresh off his walk‑off heroics from Friday, launched a solo shot to make it 4‑1 Reds. Two home runs, four batters. The Reds had the lead, and you could feel the game slipping away.
Second Inning – The Knockout Blow
The Reds weren’t done. In the bottom of the second, Elly De La Cruz answered with his own two‑run blast, his ninth home run of the year. 6‑1 Reds – and Jack Flaherty’s night was effectively over. He lasted just two innings, giving up six earned runs and three home runs, both season highs.
Third Inning – Adding Insult
TJ Friedl joined the party in the third with a solo home run – his first of the season. That made it 7‑1 Reds and fully put the game out of reach.
Fourth Inning – A Solo Stand
Tigers fans needed something to cheer about. Spencer Torkelson provided it in the fourth with a solo home run off Singer. It was Torkelson’s fourth home run of the season and his fourth straight game with a homer – a nice personal bright spot. The score became 7‑2.
Sixth Inning – More Pain
The Reds added more in the sixth. Sal Stewart drove a bases‑loaded single off Connor Seabold, plating two more runs. 9‑2 Reds. That was the final dagger.
The Rest – Quiet Night
No more scoring after the sixth. Drew Anderson gave up TJ Friedl’s homer in the eighth, but by then, nobody was counting. The Tigers vs Reds live score stayed frozen at 9‑2. Move along, nothing more to see here.
Tigers vs Reds Box Score April 25 – The Numbers That Matter
Time to get into the Tigers vs Reds box score April 25. These numbers aren’t pretty if you’re a Tigers fan.
Team Comparison
| Category | Tigers | Reds |
| Runs | 2 | 9 |
| Hits | 8 | 11 |
| Home Runs | 2 | 6 |
| Walks | 4 | 5 |
| Strikeouts | 8 | 9 |
| Left on Base | 6 | 7 |
Key takeaway: The Reds launched six homers compared to the Tigers’ two. That’s a massive difference. When one team hits six balls over the fence, and the other hits only two, the game recap and highlights in baseball are pretty straightforward. The Reds also out‑hit the Tigers 11 to 8.
Tigers Batting Performance
- Kevin McGonigle (SS): 3‑for‑5, HR (leadoff), RBI. He finished a triple shy of the cycle and is now hitting .333 with a .963 OPS. This kid is the real deal.
- Spencer Torkelson (1B): Solo homer (his fourth), 1‑for‑4. He’s homered in four straight games after starting the season ice‑cold.
- Riley Greene (CF): 1‑for‑4, double
- Javier Báez (3B): 1‑for‑3, walk, run scored
- Jahmai Jones (LF): 1‑for‑4, RBI
Reds Batting Performance
- Elly De La Cruz (3B): 2‑run homer (9th), RBI. He and Stewart became the second pair of Reds teammates since 1900 to each hit at least nine homers before May.
- Sal Stewart (DH): 3‑run homer, 5 RBIs total. Unreal day at the plate.
- Nathaniel Lowe (1B): Solo home run. That’s back‑to‑back games with a homer.
- TJ Friedl (LF): Two home runs (first two of the season), multi‑HR game.
- Matt McLain (2B): 1‑for‑3, run scored
- Dane Myers (RF): 1‑for‑4, run scored
Tigers vs Reds Pitching Stats – A Total Breakdown
If you’re a pitching nerd, the Tigers vs Reds pitching stats will make you wince.
Tigers Pitching – A Nightmare
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR |
| Jack Flaherty (L, 0‑2) | 2.0 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Beau Brieske | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Joey Wentz | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mason Englert | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyler Holton | 0.2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Connor Seabold | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Drew Anderson | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Tigers’ team ERA for the game: 9.00
Worst of the worst: Jack Flaherty allowed three home runs in just two innings. His ERA ballooned. He threw 68 pitches but only lasted two frames – a brutal, inefficient outing that set the tone for the whole night.
Reds Pitching – Solid Enough
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR |
| Brady Singer (W, 2‑1) | 5.1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Emilio Pagán | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sam Moll | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Graham Ashcraft | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Reds team ERA for the game: 2.00
Brady Singer got the win, moving to 2‑1 on the season. He gave up eight hits and two solo home runs through 5 1/3 innings. Was it pretty? No. But it was enough. Singer now has a 3.17 ERA in 15 career starts against the Tigers – the Reds will take that production any day.
Tigers vs Reds Key Moments – Where the Game Got Away
Some games have turning points. This one had a turning avalanche. Here are the Tigers vs Reds key moments that blew everything open.
1. McGonigle’s Leadoff Homer (Top 1st) – A False Hope
Kevin McGonigle gave the Tigers a 1‑0 lead. It was his second homer of the season. But that early excitement faded faster than a summer rain shower. The Tigers never scored again until the fourth inning.
2. Sal Stewart’s 3‑Run Homer (Bottom 1st) – The Real Beginning
Flaherty walked McLain. Walked De La Cruz. Then Stewart took a 3‑0 fastball over the right‑center field wall. 3‑1 Reds. That single swing changed the entire momentum of the Detroit Tigers vs Cincinnati Reds live score .
3. Back‑To‑Back Homers (Bottom 1st) – Four Pitches, Two Homers
After Stewart’s blast, Nathaniel Lowe stepped in and crushed the very next pitch over the wall. Two homers, four pitches. The ball wasn’t hit softly, either. The Reds had turned a 1‑0 deficit into a 4‑1 lead in record time.
4. De La Cruz’s Two‑Run Blast (Bottom 2nd) – The Knockout
Flaherty didn’t learn his lesson. He gave up yet another homer – this time a two‑run shot from Elly De La Cruz. 6‑1 Reds. After this swing, the game was effectively over. Flaherty’s night was finished. So was any hope of a Tigers comeback.
5. Torkelson’s Homer (Top 4th) – Too Little, Too Late
Spencer Torkelson hit a solo shot to cut the lead to 7‑2. But a solo homer when you’re down by five runs is like bringing a water pistol to a forest fire. It didn’t move the needle.
6. Stewart’s Two‑Run Single (Bottom 6th) – The Exclamation Point
With the bases loaded, Sal Stewart knocked a single past the infield, scoring two more. Stewart finished the night with five RBIs – a career‑high and the final nail in the coffin.
MLB Standings Impact After Game – What the Numbers Say Now
Let’s talk about the MLB standings impact after game . This one moved the needle for both teams.
Updated Records:
- Tigers: 14‑14 ( .500 )
- Reds: 18‑9 ( .667 )
The Reds climbed nine games over .500 for the first time since August 2, 2003. Their 18‑9 start is their best since going 18‑8 in 2003. This is the type of momentum that builds real playoff hopes in Cincinnati.
Team Performance Comparison Tigers vs Reds:
- Reds home record: 7‑6
- Tigers’ road record: 4‑11 (major weakness)
- Reds in games they score 5+ runs: 10‑1
- Tigers have lost five of their past nine games.
- Tigers have a 14‑14 record after 28 games – they’ll need to go 76‑58 the rest of the way to reach 90 wins.
Player Performance Insights MLB:
- Sal Stewart’s five‑RBI night was a career high.
- Elly De La Cruz is now tied for ninth in the NL with nine homers.
- Matt McLain has hits in four straight games.
- Kevin McGonigle has reached base in 23 straight starts – longest for a Tigers rookie since Austin Jackson’s 25‑game streak in 2010.
Tigers vs Reds Batting Performance – A Tale of Two Lineups
The Tigers vs Reds batting performance tells a simple story: the Reds slugged. Tigers couldn’t keep up.
Team Home Run Breakdown:
- Tigers: 2 HR (McGonigle, Torkelson)
- Reds: 6 HR (Stewart, Lowe, De La Cruz, Friedl x2)
Tigers vs Reds player stats, April 25 leaders:
| Category | Tigers Leader | Reds Leader |
| Hits | Kevin McGonigle (3) | Friedl / Stewart / De La Cruz (2 each) |
| Home Runs | McGonigle / Torkelson (1) | Friedl (2) |
| RBIs | McGonigle / Torkelson / Jones (1) | Stewart (5) |
| Walks | Torkelson (2) | McLain / De La Cruz (2 each) |
Fun Fact: McGonigle’s 105.2 mph exit velocity on his leadoff homer was the hardest‑hit ball of the night for either team. The 21‑year‑old rookie is quietly having a monster season. In 27 games, McGonigle is hitting .333 with two homers and a .963 OPS. That’s star territory.
Final Thoughts – A Night in Cincinnati
The Tigers vs Reds game summary is simple. Cincinnati’s offense is scary. Their lineup goes deep 1 through 9. Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart already have nine homers each before May – a feat achieved by only two Reds duos in the last 100 years.
The Tigers vs Reds match analysis 2026 reveals one team soaring and one team sputtering. The Tigers have now dropped four of their last six. Their road record is 4‑11, which is brutal. Getting your doors blown off 9‑2 is never fun. But there’s a reason McGonigle and Torkelson are building momentum. If the Tigers can fix their starting pitching – especially after Flaherty’s nightmare outing – they’ll be fine.
The Tigers vs Reds scoreboard on April 25 won’t be forgotten soon by Reds fans. Six homers. Nine runs. A bullpen that held it down. And the kind of offensive explosion that makes you believe in October baseball.
What fans will remember:
- Sal Stewart’s five RBI night.
- Elly De La Cruz is hitting his ninth home run of the season.
- Spencer Torkelson is homering in his fourth straight game.
- Jack Flaherty’s shortest start since June 2022.
- McGonigle’s 23‑game on‑base streak is continuing.
- The Reds are moving to 18‑9 for their best start in 23 years.
For Tigers fans, this one stings. Learn from it, forget it, move on.
For Reds fans? You saw something special. Enjoy the ride.
The final score was Cincinnati Reds 9, Detroit Tigers 2. The Tigers vs Reds final score update showed the Reds hitting six home runs, including two from TJ Friedl, to secure a blowout victory at Great American Ball Park.
Sal Stewart (Reds) hit a three-run homer and finished with five RBIs – a career high. TJ Friedl hit two home runs. Elly De La Cruz added a two‑run blast. For the Tigers, rookie Kevin McGonigle went 3‑for‑5 with a leadoff home run, and Spencer Torkelson homered for the fourth straight game.
Jack Flaherty lasted just two innings, giving up six earned runs and three home runs – both season highs. He walked two batters and threw 68 pitches in one of the shortest starts of his career. The Tigers fell to 14‑14 after the loss.
Reds starter Brady Singer (2‑1) allowed eight hits and two runs over 5⅓ innings. Emilio Pagán, Sam Moll, and Graham Ashcraft combined for 3⅔ scoreless innings on just one hit. Tigers’ pitching collectively allowed six homers and posted a 9.00 team ERA for the game.
The Reds improved to 18‑9, their best start since going 18‑8 in 2003. They reached nine games over .500 for the first time since August 2, 2003. The Tigers fell to 14‑14, dropping to 4‑11 on the road. Cincinnati’s Rhett Lowder (3‑1, 3.10 ERA) will face Detroit’s Keider Montero (1‑2, 3.68 ERA) in Sunday’s series finale.
References
- MLB Gameday: *Tigers 2, Reds 9 Final Score (04/25/2026)*, MLB.com. Available at: mlb.com/gameday
- CBS News: Detroit Tigers fall to Cincinnati Reds 9‑2, Published April 25, 2026. Available at: cbsnews.com/detroit
- ESPN: Reds 9‑2 Tigers (Apr 25, 2026) Game Recap, ESPN.com.
- Yahoo Sports: Jack Flaherty destroyed by Reds in 2 innings as Detroit Tigers lose, Published April 25, 2026. Available at: sports.yahoo.com
- The Associated Press (via The Star): Sal Stewart’s 3‑run HR, 5 RBIs help Reds beat Tigers 9‑2, Published April 25, 2026.
- CBS Sports: Detroit Tigers vs. Cincinnati Reds Results, Stats, and Recap – April 25, 2026, CBSSports.com.
- The Canadian Press (via Lethbridge Herald): Sal Stewart’s 3‑run HR, 5 RBIs, help Reds beat Tigers 9‑2, Published April 25, 2026.
- ESPN Singapore: Tigers vs. Reds Live Score – April 25, 2026, ESPN.com.sg.
- MLB Advance Media: Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart home run highlights (Video), MLB.com.
- Stats Perform / Field Level Media: Post‑game pitching breakdowns and player performance insights, FIELD LEVEL MEDIA.
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