Noelvi Marte’s Walk-Off Single Lifts Reds Over Blue Jays 5-4 After Wild Ninth-Inning Finish in Cincinnati

Monday, September 1st, 2025

Cincinnati Reds Rally Past Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in Dramatic Finish

Noelvi Marte delivered a walk-off, two-run single to cap a thrilling comeback as the Cincinnati Reds edged the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in a Monday afternoon MLB showdown at Great American Ball Park. The Reds capitalized on a ninth-inning bullpen collapse and a rare lodged ball umpire decision to snatch the victory from Toronto, whose lead atop the AL East shrunk to 2.5 games.

Ninth-Inning Fireworks

Toronto carried a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning, only to see Bo Bichette ignite the Blue Jays with back-to-back home runs off Emilio Pagán—his second was a two-run shot that marked his fourth hit of the game. Following Bichette, Daulton Varsho kept the momentum with a solo home run, setting the stage for a dramatic Reds rally in the bottom half.

Lodged Ball Controversy and Reds' Response

Ke’Bryan Hayes and Matt McLain hit consecutive singles to put the Reds in business before TJ Friedl doubled into the right-field corner. Both runners initially crossed the plate, but a video review revealed that the ball lodged in a fence gap, forcing McLain to return to third base. Undeterred, Marte laced a single to left, allowing McLain and Friedl to score as Friedl slid in headfirst just ahead of the throw.

Standout Performances

Yosver Zulueta recorded the final two outs in the ninth for his first career major league win. Sal Stewart, recently called up from Triple-A, made his major league debut and notched his first hit, eventually scoring on Hayes' early two-run double. Hunter Greene impressed for Cincinnati with 21 pitches reaching 100 mph, allowing just three hits over six innings before exiting in the seventh.

Key Stats and Notes

Bo Bichette’s four-hit contest was his sixth such game, placing him second in franchise history behind Vernon Wells’ ten. Chris Bassitt's first-inning walk to Friedl ended a four-game, walk-free streak for Toronto’s pitching staff, their longest such run since June 2023.

Playoff Race Update

The Blue Jays' loss, paired with a Yankees off-day, trimmed Toronto’s cushion atop the AL East. Meanwhile, Cincinnati remains in pursuit of a National League Wild Card, trailing the New York Mets by four games.

Up Next

The series continues Tuesday as Toronto’s José Berríos (9-5, 3.95 ERA) faces Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (8-7, 3.22 ERA).

In summary

The Cincinnati Reds overcame late dramatics and unusual plays to top the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in a thrilling Labor Day clash. Key contributions from Noelvi Marte and Bo Bichette highlighted this back-and-forth MLB contest, with both teams continuing their pursuits of postseason spots in their respective leagues.

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