Baseball

Cincinnati Reds Dominate Rockies 7-2 in Season Restart

by
William Caldwell
July 18, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds returned to action with a bang on Friday, kicking off the second half of their 2026 season with a commanding 7-2 victory over the struggling Colorado Rockies in Denver. After a brief respite to regroup, the Reds wasted no time asserting their presence, launching four home runs and benefiting from a stellar performance by pitcher Brady Singer.

Elly De La Cruz ignited the offense right from the start, recording his first hit of the night in the top of the first inning and scoring shortly after when Sal Stewart connected for a double into the left field gap. De La Cruz capped off a remarkable 4-for-5 night with a ninth-inning homer, while Stewart continued his impressive run by driving in two runs.

However, it was the top of the sixth inning that truly showcased Cincinnati’s offensive firepower. Spencer Steer launched his first of two home runs with a powerful shot over the left field wall, quickly followed by Eugenio Suarez, who sent a pitch over the same fence, creating back-to-back home runs that electrified the Reds’ dugout.

Steer wasn’t finished yet; in the top of the eighth, he blasted a 421-foot missile that ricocheted off the wall in the deepest part of Coors Field. With the ball bouncing toward left field, Steer sprinted around the bases, completing an inside-the-park home run for his second of the game.

With this performance, Steer, who has been a topic of trade discussions recently, now boasts a batting line of .250/.330/.441, including 16 home runs and 40 RBIs, standing at a 109 OPS+ and 108 wRC+. As the Reds aim for a miraculous comeback to contend for a playoff spot, moving Steer could be a strategic decision given the current demand for right-handed hitting outfielders among several top teams as the trade deadline approaches.

With Friday’s victory, the Reds improved to eight games below the .500 mark and look to build on this momentum as they prepare for a 3:10 PM ET matinee against the Rockies on Saturday, bracing for the extreme heat in Denver.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

William Caldwell

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.