Guardians rally past Reds, 4–2, after Cincinnati’s early homer

The Cincinnati Reds jumped in front early, but the Cleveland Guardians answered with steady pressure and a decisive two-run double in the seventh to take a 4–2 win in their Cactus League opener at Goodyear Ballpark.

Early edge for Cincinnati

After a quiet first two innings, the Reds broke through in the top of the third. Edwin Arroyo doubled to put a runner in scoring position, and with two outs, Will Benson launched a two-run homer to right (389 feet) to give Cincinnati a 2–0 lead.

Cleveland chips away

The Guardians got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Josh Naylor doubled, then Gabriel Arias followed with an RBI double to right to make it 2–1.

They tied it in the sixth. A walk set the table, and David Fry doubled to left to drive in the tying run, evening the game at 2–2.

The turning point: a two-run seventh

Cleveland took control in the bottom of the seventh. After a leadoff triple by Alex Mooney, Kahlil Watson reached, and Carter Kieboom delivered a sharp two-run double to left to bring home both runners and put the Guardians ahead 4–2.

Reds can’t answer late

Cincinnati threatened in the top of the seventh, using a single, a stolen base, and two walks to load the bases, but Cam Schuelke came on and struck out Collier to end the rally. The Reds finished with four hits and went quietly in the eighth and ninth, and Cade Stanley closed it out with a scoreless ninth to earn the save.

Final: Guardians 4–2 (Guardians 1–0, Reds 0–1 in spring play).