Reds Defeat Rays in Tight Matchup

Cincinnati takes down Tampa Bay in Monday night MLB showdown

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays, with sharp, overlapping planes of red and navy blue representing the players and action on the field.The Cincinnati Reds' road success against American League opponents with winning records proved the difference in their tight victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.St. Petersburg Today

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 in a close game on Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Reds trailed 3-0 early but rallied late to secure the victory, improving their road record to 8-2 on the season.

Why it matters

This was an important early-season matchup between two teams vying for playoff positioning in their respective divisions. The Reds' road success against American League opponents with winning records has been a key factor in their strong start, while the Rays have struggled at home against National League foes.

The details

Cincinnati starter Rhett Lowder allowed five hits and three earned runs over six innings, but the Reds' bullpen was able to hold off a late Rays comeback attempt. Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart provided the offensive firepower for the Reds, with De La Cruz hitting a home run and Stewart driving in three runs. Tampa Bay's pitching plans were uncertain heading into the game, which may have contributed to the Rays' struggles.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6:40 pm EDT.
  • The Reds trailed 3-0 in the third inning before rallying to take the lead in the 10th.

The players

Rhett Lowder

The Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher, who is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.13 WHIP this season.

Elly De La Cruz

The Cincinnati Reds infielder, who hit a home run and has 6 home runs and 12 RBIs on the year.

Sal Stewart

The Cincinnati Reds outfielder, who drove in 3 runs and leads the team with 7 home runs and 19 RBIs.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a good Rays team, but the guys really battled back and showed a lot of fight to get this win on the road.”

— David Bell, Cincinnati Reds Manager

What’s next

The Reds will look to continue their strong road play when they take on the Yankees in New York on Wednesday. The Rays will try to bounce back at home against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The takeaway

The Reds' ability to win tough road games against American League opponents with winning records has been a key factor in their hot start, while the Rays have struggled at home against National League foes, raising questions about their home-field advantage.