CINCINNATI — In an exhilarating extra-inning clash, Spencer Steer and pinch-hitter Gavin Lux delivered crucial run-scoring singles for the Cincinnati Reds, culminating in a 5-4 comeback victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. The thrilling end to the game unfolded after rookie Chase Burns made a notable major league debut for the Reds.
The Yankees took an early lead when Aaron Judge scored on a wild pitch by Connor Phillips in the 11th inning, giving them a temporary 4-3 advantage. However, Cincinnati quickly countered. Elly De La Cruz, with Matt McLain as the automatic runner, sparked the Reds’ rally against Mark Leiter Jr. (4-4) by starting the inning with an infield single. Steer followed up by smacking a tying single while De La Cruz, assuming the game was finished, ran with ease to second. Continuing the momentum, Spencer Steer advanced a base on another wild pitch, Tyler Stephenson earned a walk to stack the bases, and then Lux came through with a decisive single to center field over a crowded infield, securing his second career walk-off hit.
In the seventh inning, Christian Encarnacion-Strand made a significant impact with a three-run double off Jonathan Loáisiga, intensifying the contest. The defeat marks New York’s ninth loss in 12 games, causing their AL East lead to shrink to the smallest margin since April by just one game. The Yankees have struggled in extra-inning scenarios this season, now reflecting a 1-6 record, and have been hitting just 1 for 21 with runners in scoring position across the first two matches of this series.
Chase Burns, the second overall pick from last July’s amateur draft, etched his name in the expansion era records by fanning the first five batters he faced in his debut. At just 22 years old, Burns, a right-handed pitcher, managed five innings, conceding three runs and six hits while striking out an impressive eight batters.
The Yankees had built a solid foundation earlier on; Ben Rice launched a home run, while Anthony Volpe contributed a two-run triple in the fourth, establishing a 3-0 lead. New York’s Carlos Rodón, aspiring to be the first 10-game winner of the season, displayed strong form with six shutout innings.
The game also saw some drama with Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. being ejected in the ninth inning by plate umpire Mark Wegner due to persistent disagreement over a strike call.
Notably, the Reds overturned a daunting record; previously, they had been winless in 30 games when trailing after six innings this season.
Looking ahead, the Yankees’ Max Fried (9-2, 2.05 ERA), who ranks third in the majors for ERA, is set to face off against Cincinnati’s Brady Singer (7-5, 4.13 ERA) as the series wraps up on Wednesday.