Sal Stewart’s 11th-inning blast ends Reds’ five-game skid
Rookie Sal Stewart’s tiebreaking two-run homer in the 11th lifts Cincinnati past San Diego, snapping a brutal losing streak and igniting the clubhouse.
Rookie Sal Stewart’s tiebreaking two-run homer in the 11th lifts Cincinnati past San Diego, snapping a brutal losing streak and igniting the clubhouse.
Rookie Sal Stewart erased a five-game losing streak with one swing. In the 11th inning, Stewart crushed a tiebreaking two-run homer to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-3 walk-off victory over the San Diego Padres. The blast came with the Reds staring down elimination after another tight loss.
Instead, Stewart’s clutch hit sparked a wild celebration and a much-needed morale boost in Cincinnati. The win snapped a brutal skid and handed the Reds their first walk-off since early August. For a team mired in a freefall, Stewart’s heroics couldn’t come at a better time.
The rookie’s poise under pressure provided the spark the Reds desperately needed to halt their slide. His performance also underscored the growing influence of young talent in a lineup desperate for consistency, with Stewart joining a wave of rookies stepping into key roles. 2 runs per game during the skid.
Stewart’s homer wasn’t just a statistical outlier—it was a cultural reset. The win shifted momentum and forced opponents to reconsider Cincinnati’s lineup depth, a narrative that had been fading fast. Beyond the box score, Stewart’s homer exposed cracks in the Padres’ bullpen strategy.
San Diego’s relief corps, one of the league’s stingiest all season, wilted under the pressure of a high-leverage extra-inning spot. The blown save marked their third in four outings, a rare blemish on a dominant relief unit and a reminder that even the best bullpens can fold when the stakes are highest. The win also carries weight for Cincinnati’s playoff push.
With the division race tightening, every game now carries outsized importance. Stewart’s heroics didn’t just end a losing streak—they handed the Reds a psychological edge, a tangible reminder that this team can rise to the occasion when it matters most. The Dodgers, next up on the schedule, will face a Cincinnati squad riding a new wave of confidence.
What's next: The Reds face the Dodgers Friday night in Cincinnati, looking to ride the momentum from Stewart’s game-changing swing. Read at ESPN
Ending a five-game losing streak is a lifeline for any team, but the impact of a rookie delivering in the highest-leverage moment can’t be overstated. For Cincinnati, Stewart’s walk-off homer isn’t just a win—it’s a statement. It shifts the narrative from collapse to resilience, proving the Reds can still thrive when the lights shine brightest. The win also highlights the franchise’s reliance on unproven talent, a gamble that paid off in a league where veteran stability often dictates success. The psychological edge gained from Stewart’s heroics could prove decisive in the final stretch of a tight division race, where every win and every swing carries amplified significance.
ESPNespn.comJun 10, 5:47 AMen
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