Marte’s Walk-Off Single Lifts Reds 5-4 After Lodged Ball Drama

The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a wild late-game comeback to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Monday. Noelvi Marte sealed it with a dramatic walk-off hit that left the crowd buzzing.

This one had everything—momentum swings, clutch moments, even a weird rules call. Cincinnati clawed back from a ninth-inning deficit to keep their postseason hopes flickering. Bo Bichette racked up four hits for Toronto, but the Reds’ guts in the bottom of the ninth made all the difference.

Reds Overcome Ninth-Inning Deficit

The game looked out of reach for Cincinnati after the Blue Jays exploded in the top of the ninth. The Reds had a slim 2-1 lead, but Toronto’s Bo Bichette crushed a two-run homer to flip the script.

One batter later, Daulton Varsho smashed a solo shot. Suddenly, it was 4-2 and the home crowd went quiet. Bichette’s bomb capped his sixth career four-hit performance, tying him for second-most in Blue Jays history with Vernon Wells.

Even after that gut punch, the Reds didn’t give in. Their rally started with a tense, almost bizarre moment—a lodged-ball ruling wiped out what looked like a game-tying hit from TJ Friedl, forcing Matt McLain back to third base.

But Cincinnati wouldn’t be denied. Noelvi Marte came up and punched a two-run single that sent the place into chaos.

Marte Delivers Walk-Off Heroics

Marte’s hit was the story of the night. Bases loaded, two outs, and he ripped a line drive into center, scoring both the tying and winning runs.

The Reds walked it off, 5-4. That win kept them within four games of the New York Mets for the last NL Wild Card spot—still hanging in.

Key Performances on Both Sides

There were plenty of standout efforts. For Toronto, Bichette’s four-hit game was just another reminder—he’s one of the best hitters out there.

His home run and knack for getting on base kept Toronto ahead for most of the night.

Hunter Greene’s Electric Start

On the mound, Hunter Greene was electric. He threw six innings of one-run ball, lighting up the radar gun with 100 mph heaters—he hit triple digits 21 times.

Greene kept Toronto’s bats mostly silent until that ninth-inning surge. At the plate, Ke’Bryan Hayes knocked in two with a double earlier, putting Cincinnati up 2-1.

Sal Stewart made his big league debut at first base, picked up his first hit, and scored on Hayes’ double. That’s a night he won’t forget anytime soon.

Extra Notes and Game Implications

Toronto starter Chris Bassitt had an odd stat line—he issued an early walk, snapping the Jays’ streak of four straight games without one. Yosver Zulueta got his first big league win by nabbing the last two outs in the ninth.

Brendon Little took the loss for Cincinnati after giving up the walk-off hit.

Standings Impact

This win was huge for the Reds’ playoff chase. They’re still trailing the Mets in the Wild Card hunt, and every game matters as September creeps in.

For Toronto, the loss cut their AL East lead to just 2 1/2 games over the Yankees. That race is about to get interesting, isn’t it?

Looking Ahead

Both clubs know momentum matters as the season winds down. Cincinnati wants to build off this win and keep clawing toward the postseason.

Toronto needs to rebound fast to stay on top of the AL East. With players like Bichette and Greene, anything can happen—these teams aren’t fading quietly as October approaches.

Final Score: Cincinnati Reds 5, Toronto Blue Jays 4 — just goes to show, no lead ever feels safe when the pressure’s on and the bats are cooking.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Marte hits walk-off single after Reds lose tying run on lodged ball, Cincinnati tops Blue Jays 5-4