Cincinnati Reds spring training: Reds rout Guardians to close out 2025 camp

GOODYEAR, Arizona – The Cincinnati Reds (12-17-1) closed out spring training Sunday with a 13-2 Cactus League rout of the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark, batting around for a seven-run third inning, then broke camp and headed to Ohio.

Nick Lodolo stymies Guardians

The Reds’ No. 2 starter became the only pitcher on the staff to complete six innings in a Cactus League game, limiting the Guardians to three hits without issuing a walk and retiring the final 11 batters he faced.

Lodolo struck out seven and picked off one of the two runners who singled. The only run he allowed came on Ralphy Velazquez’ leadoff home run in the third.

He makes his first start of the season Saturday against the Giants, following Hunter Greene's Opening Day start on Thursday.

Elly De La Cruz capped a big spring with a 2-for-2 day with a walk Sunday. He finished the spring 18-for-44 (.409) with four doubles, four home runs, 10 walks, 12 strikeouts, a .519 on-base percentage and .773 slugging percentage.

Big spring for Elly De La Cruz

All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz closed out an impressive spring training with a 2-for-2 afternoon that included a double and walk.

He finished the spring 18-for-44 (.409) with four doubles, four home runs, 10 walks, 12 strikeouts, a .519 on-base percentage and .773 slugging percentage. He also stole six bases in eight attempts.

Manager Terry Francona told De La Cruz in their first meeting of the spring, “I want you to be the best player in baseball on the best team in baseball. That’s my goal.”

TJ Friedl: leadoff ace

Presumptive Opening Day leadoff man TJ Friedl walked on four pitches in the first and scored, bunted for a hit and scored in the third and then later in the third was hit by a pitch — putting him on base in three of four trips to the plate Sunday.

Before a series of injuries sidelined him most of last season, Friedl led the majors with 17 bunt hits in 2023.

Up next for Cincinnati Reds

The Reds scrimmage in Dayton on Tuesday then open the regular season Thursday against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park (Hunter Greene vs. Logan Webb).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds spring training: Reds rout Guardians to close out camp

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