Stephenson Powers Reds Past Rays 7-2 on Friday Night

Friday, July 25th, 2025

Game Recap: Reds Top Rays on July 25, 2025

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Friday night, July 25, 2025, with Tyler Stephenson leading the charge with a home run and three RBIs. Nick Martinez pitched five strong innings, striking out five, to secure the win at 6:10 PM ET.

Martinez (9-9) earned the win, allowing only four hits and two earned runs. This victory marked the Reds' second straight and their fourth win in seven games since the All-Star break.

Stephenson's offensive prowess was on full display, with his eighth home run of the season coming in the second inning, a solo shot. He later added two more runs to his tally with a single in the seventh.

Further contributing to the Reds' offense, TJ Friedl connected for his 10th home run of the season, a two-run blast in the sixth. Elly De La Cruz had an impressive night at the plate, going 4 for 5 with a run scored, while Austin Hays added three hits in five at-bats, scoring two runs.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, Jonathan Aranda and Taylor Walls each contributed an RBI. The loss marked the seventh in ten games for the Rays.

Rays pitcher Zack Littell (8-8) took the loss, giving up 10 hits and five runs, along with two strikeouts. Littell's outing included allowing more home runs, pushing his season total to a league-leading 26.

Key Moment

The pivotal moment came in the seventh inning when Tyler Stephenson's bases-loaded single with one out extended the Reds' lead from three runs to a commanding five-run margin.

Key Stat

Despite stranding eight runners, the Reds were efficient when it mattered most, going 5 for 17 with runners in scoring position.

Up Next

Looking ahead, the Tampa Bay Rays will send right-hander Ryan Pepiot (6-8) to the mound for the second game of the three-game series. He will face Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott (8-1).

In summary

On July 25, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 in a decisive MLB game. Tyler Stephenson was a standout performer for the Reds, hitting a home run and driving in three runs. Pitcher Nick Martinez earned his ninth win of the season with five effective innings. Key offensive support also came from TJ Friedl's two-run homer, Elly De La Cruz's four-hit game, and Austin Hays' three-hit performance. The Rays managed two runs but struggled to contain Cincinnati's offense. This victory continues a positive trend for the Reds following the All-Star break.

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