The Cincinnati Reds suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Washington Nationals, blowing a 5-0 lead and failing to capitalize on late-game opportunities. Key mistakes and missed chances led to an 8-7 defeat in extra innings.
Key points
Reds blew a 5-0 lead against the Nationals
Tyler Stephenson hit a grand slam in the first inning
Game tied at 6-6 before extra innings
Fan interference affected a potential game-tying play
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 13: Dog walks around the ballpark ahead outfield the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals for Bark in the Park at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 13: Dog walks around the ballpark ahead outfield the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals for Bark in the Park at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson destroyed a ball for a grand slam in the Bottom of the 1st inning tonight in Great American Ball Park, the blast giving the Reds an early 5-0 lead. This, of course, came just a day after they were run ragged by a rebuilding Washington Nationals club 10-4 in the series opener at home, and it sure looked like the lineup ā revamped by manager Terry Francona before the game ā was finally there to put its foot down.
*About thatā¦*
Despite handing the ball over to Nick Lodolo, who struck out the side in a brilliant Top of the 1st inning, the Reds completely imploded. Lodolo fumbled the lead almost as quickly as it was given to him, allowing a 4-spot in the Top of the 2nd fueled by a 2-run homer from Keibert Ruiz and later yielding a game-tying run in the Top of the 3rd to make this game square.
The Reds and Nats forged a stalemate for awhile thereafter, but the sad trombone fireworks were hardly over. Elly De La Cruz led off the Bottom of the 7th in a 6-6 game with a double, yet the Reds failed to drive him in. Then, in the Bottom of the 9th, similarly led off with a double, only for the Reds to a) botch a bunt attempt and b) also fail to get him around to score.
That sent the game into extra innings, where the fail horn kept right on a-honkinā.
immediately served up a meatball to , who smoked it for what feels like the 77th homer of the series for the Louisville, KY native. Santillan has now allowed 7 homers already this season in just 17.0 IP, and thatās going to make for a bad time for all parties involved.
Down 8-6 in the Bottom of the 10th, things once again got spicy for all the wrong reasons. , whoās been mashing lately, worked a deep count off lefty reliever before smashing a 102.7 mph laser that seemed to be a magnet to the yellow line atop the wall in LF. Before we had the chance to see if it was a homer, a double, an odd-bounce triple, or god forbid an inside-the-park homer, a fan reached over and caught the ball and the umpires rendered it a dead ball double.
Replay could not overturn it, and what could have been the game-tying play ā or a play that left a Red on 3B instead of 2B ā was undone, and Cincinnati remained trailing at 8-7.
Despite Stephenson working a walk, couldnāt pull off the magnificent this evening on the gameās final play, and the Reds fell in the kind of frustrating fashion that make you despise all fashions altogether.
Q&A
What caused the Cincinnati Reds to lose against the Washington Nationals?
The Reds lost due to a series of mistakes, including failing to score with runners in scoring position and a critical home run allowed in extra innings.
Who hit a grand slam for the Reds in the game against the Nationals?
Tyler Stephenson hit a grand slam in the Bottom of the 1st inning, giving the Reds an early 5-0 lead.
How did the game between the Reds and Nationals end?
The game ended with the Reds losing 8-7 in extra innings after a fan interference call on a potential game-tying hit.
What were the key moments that led to the Reds' loss?
Key moments included failing to score after doubles by Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain, and a home run allowed by Tony Santillan in extra innings.
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