Athletics’ early edge slips away in 3-2 loss to Reds

Early lead does not hold

Butler put the Athletics in front with a 415-foot home run to right center in the top of the first inning, but the Cincinnati Reds answered and went on to beat the Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Rhett Lowder earned the win for Cincinnati, working six innings and allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts. The Reds improved to 55-58, while the Athletics fell to 45-69. Attendance was 16,544.

Reds answer in the middle innings

The Athletics led 1-0 after Butler’s homer, one of two home runs in the game. Cincinnati tied it in the bottom of the second when Trevino singled to left and Marte scored.

The score stayed 1-1 until the bottom of the fifth. McLain gave the Reds a 2-1 lead with a 378-foot home run to right center.

The Athletics responded in the top of the sixth. Heim doubled to right, scoring Soderstrom and tying the game at 2. Cincinnati moved back ahead in the bottom half of the inning when Marte hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Stewart for a 3-2 lead.

Bullpen protects one-run lead

After Lowder’s six innings, Cincinnati’s bullpen did not allow a hit or a run. Brock Burke recorded a hold with 1 1/3 innings, no hits, no walks and three strikeouts. Tejay Antone followed with two-thirds of an inning, no hits, no walks and no strikeouts for a hold.

Emilio Pagan earned his 13th save by pitching one inning with no hits, no walks and one strikeout.

Lopez strikes out nine

Jacob Lopez gave the Athletics five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Hayden Juenger took the loss, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Jose Suarez pitched one-third of an inning without allowing a hit, run or walk. Scott Blewett added two innings with no hits, no runs, no walks and one strikeout.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816400