Forget sentimentality, Reds manager Terry Francona wanted wins. Facing the Guardians, the franchise he managed for 11 seasons, for the first time since resigning after 2023, Francona kept his feelings in check.

Hays homered on the first pitch he saw from Bibee in the bottom of the third to give the Reds a 5-0 lead. Will Brennan prevented it from being 6-0 when he threw out Lux at home on a fly out hit to right by Stephenson for a 9-2 double play to end the inning.