Reds Drop Game 3, 7–4: A Recap That Hurts (and a Game 4 Preview That Better Fix My Mood)

Alright Reds fans… Game 3 was like biting into what you thought was a brownie and realizing it’s banana bread. Technically fine, emotionally disrespectful.

The Reds took the L in Miami, 7–4, and it was one of those games where you look up and think, “How are we only down a couple?” The answer, unfortunately, is that Miami kept scoring like they had somewhere to be.

Game 3 Recap: We Scored First… Then Miami Started Acting Brand New

The Reds actually jumped out early in the top of the 1st with two runs, and for a brief, beautiful moment it felt like we were about to run this thing.

Then Miami responded immediately with two in the bottom of the 1st, added two more in the 2nd, and by the time Conine hit a two-run homer in the 3rd, it was 6–2 (yeah, that fast), and I was already mentally drafting my “we’ll get ’em tomorrow” speech.

The Reds kept swinging, kept fighting, but Miami kept landing the kind of hits that make you stare at the screen like it personally owes you money.

Final: Marlins 7, Reds 4.

The Rough Part: Singer Had One of Those Nights (and the Errors Didn’t Help)

Brady Singer took the loss, and the line is… yeah, not something you frame:

• 2.2 IP

• 10 H

• 5 ER

And when you mix in errors and extra outs, you’re basically telling the other team, “Here, take this inning—no, seriously, take two.”

Pitchers have bad days. It happens. But when the defense joins in like it’s open-mic night at the comedy club, that’s when the game starts feeling like a group project where you did all the work and still got a C.

The Good Part: Sal Stewart Brought the Thunder

Top of the 5th inning, Sal Stewart hit a two-run homer that cut it to 6–4, and just like that the game got interesting again.

That swing had “hold up… we’re still alive” energy. The dugout woke up, the Reds had life, and Reds fans everywhere stopped doom-scrolling for at least 90 seconds.

Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t tack on after that, and Miami added one more later (Norby solo shot in the 7th) just to make sure we stayed irritated.

The Story in One Stat: RISP Pain

The Reds went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 7 on base.

So yeah—there were chances. We just treated them like a museum exhibit: looked at them, nodded, and walked right past.

Game 4 Preview: Time to Punch Back

Good news: Game 4 is tonight, and we’re still 8–4 with a 5–1 road record. This isn’t panic time. This is “act like you’re good again” time.

Probable Pitchers

• Reds: Rhett Lowder (RHP)

• Marlins: Max Meyer (RHP)

Miami’s been swinging it well, so the plan is simple:

• Lowder: attack the zone, limit the freebies, don’t let innings turn into novels

• Defense: stop donating outs like it’s a charity drive

• Offense: cash in when the door opens—because it will open

Toss Boss Prediction (Fun Version)

Give me Reds 6, Marlins 4.

Here’s how it goes:

• Lowder comes out dealing like he’s late on rent—efficient, focused, and not interested in extra traffic.

• Elly gets on base once and turns it into a full community event: walk, steal, chaos, somebody throws the ball into the shadow realm and it never comes back, run scores.

• Stewart stays hot and drives in at least one, because apparently he’s the only one who read the “RISP” memo.

• And the bullpen? Just do your job. No plot twists. No “previously on…” nonsense.

Reds take Game 4, we reset the vibes, and Reds Country goes from “I’m fine” to “WE’RE SO BACK” in about 12 minutes. Let’s go get this one.