Reds Beat Red Sox in 11-Inning Thriller, 6-5

Dane Myers' walk-off single in the 11th inning lifts Cincinnati over Boston in extra innings.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:00am

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In a back-and-forth game that saw multiple lead changes, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in 11 innings on Saturday. Dane Myers' single in the bottom of the 11th inning scored designated runner TJ Friedl to give the Reds the victory.

Why it matters

This was an important early-season win for the Reds, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign. The game featured several lead changes and dramatic moments, including a game-tying home run by the Red Sox in the 9th inning to force extra innings.

The details

The Reds jumped out to an early 4-1 lead after three innings, with solo home runs by Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz. However, the Red Sox rallied to tie the game at 5-5 in the 9th inning on a solo homer by Wilyer Abreu off Reds closer Emilio Pagán. In the 11th inning, Myers' single scored Friedl to give the Reds the walk-off win.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • The game went 11 innings before the Reds won in walk-off fashion.

The players

Dane Myers

A utility player for the Cincinnati Reds who delivered the game-winning hit in the 11th inning.

TJ Friedl

The designated runner who scored the winning run for the Reds in the 11th inning.

Sonny Gray

The starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, making his debut with the team after being acquired in an offseason trade.

Brady Singer

The starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, making his season debut after dealing with a blister issue in spring training.

Wilyer Abreu

The Red Sox outfielder who hit the game-tying home run in the 9th inning to force extra innings.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge win for us. We battled back after they tied it up and found a way to get it done in extras.”

— Dane Myers, Reds Utility Player

“Tough loss, but we showed a lot of fight to come back and tie it up. We'll regroup and try to even the series tomorrow.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

What’s next

The two teams will face off again on Sunday, with Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder opposing Red Sox lefty Connelly Early in the series finale.

The takeaway

This thrilling extra-inning victory showcases the Reds' resilience and ability to win close games, a key trait they'll need to compete in the tough NL Central division. For the Red Sox, the loss is a tough one, but they demonstrated their own fighting spirit by rallying to tie the game late and force extras.