CINCINNATI (Interstat) — In a masterful display of pitching and timely late hitting, the Boston Red Sox opened their 2026 season with a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

A crowd of 43,897 watched as the game evolved into a tense duel between starting pitchers, with neither offense able to break through until the seventh inning. The Red Sox, who out-hit the Reds 12-4, finally capitalized on their opportunities in the late frames to secure the win in a brisk two hours and 31 minutes.

The most critical juncture of the contest arrived in the bottom of the sixth inning. Boston starter Garrett Crochet, who had been brilliant, found himself in his only jam of the evening. After a walk to Matt McLain and a single by Elly De La Cruz, Reds first baseman Sal Stewart laced a line-drive single to right field, loading the bases with only one out and the heart of the order due up.

Crochet, however, emphatically preserved the scoreless tie. He struck out veteran Eugenio Suárez swinging on a high fastball, then repeated the feat against Spencer Steer, fanning him on another swing-and-miss to strand all three runners. That sequence was the game’s definitive turning point, snuffing out Cincinnati’s best scoring chance and maintaining the momentum for Boston.

Crochet earned the win with a dominant performance, scattering three hits over six shutout innings while striking out eight and walking one. His outing set the tone for a Red Sox bullpen that was equally impenetrable.

The Reds received a stellar start of their own from Andrew Abbott, who matched Crochet with six scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and striking out four. The Boston offense, however, broke through against the Cincinnati bullpen.

In the top of the seventh, pinch-hitter Marcelo Mayer ignited the rally with a leadoff double off reliever Pierce Johnson, the losing pitcher. A sacrifice bunt moved him to third, and Ceddanne Rafaela delivered a sharp single to center to plate the game’s first run.

Boston added crucial insurance in the ninth against reliever Brock Burke. Mayer again was the catalyst, singling with one out. After a walk to Roman Anthony, Trevor Story lined a single to left to score Mayer. Jarren Duran followed with another run-scoring single to right, making it 3-0.

The Red Sox bullpen quartet of Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman closed the door. Whitlock and Slaten each worked a perfect inning with two strikeouts apiece. Chapman, the veteran left-hander, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to record the save.

Stewart was the lone bright spot for the Cincinnati offense, going 3 for 4 with two doubles. The rest of the Reds’ lineup managed just one other single and went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven men on base.

With the victory, Boston begins the season 1-0, while Cincinnati starts 0-1. The teams continue their opening series on Saturday.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the final outcome defied a projected 2-1 Boston win. The Red Sox covered the pregame spread of -1.5, and the total of three runs went well under the over/under line of 8.5.

Boston’s upcoming schedule sees them finish the series in Cincinnati on Saturday and Sunday before a three-game set in Houston starting Monday. They will then return to Fenway Park for a six-game homestand against San Diego and Milwaukee.

The Reds will host Boston for two more games before welcoming the Pittsburgh Pirates for three next week. A six-game road trip to Texas and Miami follows.