Explosive 16-run inning escalation propels an electrifying battle between Braves and Reds in a wild standoff.
In a game filled with drama and unparalleled excitement, the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves put on a show at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 31, 2025. Amid a hectic week with the MLB trade deadline falling on Thursday, the two teams delivered an extraordinary performance.
The eighth inning of the game was exceptionally hectic, resulting in a combined 16 runs (8 each). This was only the third time in Major League Baseball history that both teams scored eight or more runs in the same inning, a feat that has remained elusive in the annals of baseball history.
Atlanta started the eighth inning with an 11-3 lead over Cincinnati. However, the Reds roared back with eight runs, thanks in part to the contributions of Spencer Steer and the new addition to their lineup, Ke'Bryan Hayes. Hayes, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 30, hit a three-run home run in his first game with the Reds, driving in three crucial runs during the comeback.
Despite the heroics, the Reds' comeback ended in an extra-innings loss due to a sacrifice fly by Braves' Marcell Ozuna. The final score of the game was 12-11, with the Braves prevailing.
The game showcased 12 pitchers and a combined 30 hits, making it one of the most action-packed games of the season. While such high-scoring games and remarkable comebacks are not uncommon in baseball, the simultaneous scoring of eight or more runs by both teams in a single inning is a rarity that has yet to be officially celebrated in Major League Baseball history.
Despite this, the game between the Reds and Braves on July 31, 2025, will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable and historic games of the season.
[1] Mets-Braves Game of July 4, 1985
[2] Texas Rangers 15th Inning, 1983
[3] Colorado Rockies vs Pittsburgh Pirates, August 1, 2025
The extraordinary performance by the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves on July 31, 2025, rivaled the drama and excitement of the Mets-Braves game of July 4, 1985, and the Texas Rangers' 15th inning in 1983. Spencer Steer's contributions and Ke'Bryan Hayes' three-run home run in his first game with the Reds played a significant role in their comeback, although they ultimately lost in extra innings.
