Cincinnati Reds showing off needed power early in 2026

ARLINGTON, Texas — The last thing Tyler Stephenson was thinking about in his ninth-inning at-bat against Texas Rangers closer Chris Martin on Friday was a home run. Spencer Steer, who started the ninth with a double, wasn’t either, even after Stephenson tattooed a cutter from Martin to right field.Steer went back to the second-base bag and tried to coax the baseball to drop but was prepared to tag up if Rangers center fielder Evan Carter tracked it down. To just about everyone’s surprise, Stephenson’s ball found its way over the wall in right-center and into the Rangers bullpen, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-3 victory over the Rangers in their home opener.Advertisement