Sun May 18 18:50:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Reds’ Espinal Executes ‘Butcher Boy’ Brilliance in Victory Over Guardians**
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Reds continued their winning streak with a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park, fueled by a clutch, old-school play from third baseman Santiago Espinal. Espinal delivered the go-ahead run in the sixth inning with a perfectly executed fake bunt, turning it into an RBI single.
With the game tied 1-1 and TJ Friedl on second, Espinal squared to bunt, drawing the Guardians’ infielders in. He then pulled back and slashed a single over the second baseman’s head, allowing Friedl to score. “When you’ve got a lot of players moving around… you’re just trying to go to the middle, where nobody is,” Espinal said of the play.
Manager Terry Francona dubbed the play a “little old-fashioned butcher boy,” and praised Espinal’s ability to execute such a rare maneuver. “It was good baseball by them,” conceded Guardians starter Slade Cecconi. “It was a cerebral play.”
The Reds’ offense also saw solo home runs from Will Benson, who homered for the third straight game, and Rece Hinds.
Brent Suter started the game, pitching three scoreless innings, followed by scoreless relief from Lyon Richardson, Luis Mey, Graham Ashcraft, and Tony Santillan. Emilio Pagán closed it out for his 11th save. The Reds’ pitching staff was lauded for attacking the strike zone and forcing weak contact.
With the series win secured, the Reds have claimed the first portion of the Ohio Cup series against Cleveland.
First Piper 