CINCINNATI – Despite making the postseason in 2025, an often-missing ingredient for the Reds last season was that huge hit in important moments. The types of moments that Eugenio Suárez was signed for.
Suárez had one of those moments set up for him Thursday in the sixth inning as he batted with the bases loaded and one out as fans at Great American Ball Park screamed with anticipation on Opening Day. He struck out against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet as Cincinnati left the bases stranded. Another scoring chance came with Sal Stewart on second base in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs.
It was against reliever Garrett Whitlock, against whom Suárez hit the go-ahead double for Venezuela as it defeated Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final. This time, Suárez struck out against Whitlock to end the inning. The Reds went on to a 3-0 Opening Day loss.
"Ten out of 10 times, I want No. 28 in the box," said Stewart, who delivered three hits for the Reds, of Suárez.
Cincinnati was stymied by Crochet over his six scoreless innings while notching three hits. The lefty had eight strikeouts and a stretch in which he retired 12 of 13. In the bottom of the sixth came a Reds chance to finally break through.
Matt McLain started with a one-out walk before Elly De La Cruz singled into center field. Stewart hit a single on the ground to right field that was retrieved quickly, forcing McLain to be held up by third-base coach Willie Harris.
The crowd got to its feet when Suárez stepped in.
Suárez got three straight fastballs from Crochet, all in the 97 mph range, and fell into a 1-2 count. Next was a cutter down in the zone. Suárez missed it for strike three.
“He made a good pitch right there. He had good stuff today but we’ve got to keep going," said Suárez, who was signed to a one-year, $15 million contract as a free agent on Feb. 3.
"Just giving him my best shot," Crochet said. "Hitting is a tough thing to do in this sport, just trying not to give him too much credit, making sure that he earns it. That's all I'm really thinking of."
Reds starter Andrew Abbott did superbly to match Crochet with six scoreless innings but using 83 pitches, giving way to reliever Pierce Johnson for the top of the seventh. Johnson gave up the game's first run on Ceddanne Rafaela's single into center field. Two more runs crossed against Connor Phillips in the ninth.
In the bottom of the eighth, Stewart's two-out double to right field off of Whitlock set up the rematch vs. Suárez. Down 0-1, Suárez fouled off back-to-back sinkers.
“That was the guy. I knew he was going to pitch me different," Suárez said. "He got me late with the fastball. I’ve got to make my adjustment. He threw me two fastballs right there in the middle and I missed my opportunity. And then I tried to battle."
Whitlock threw a changeup that dived outside the strike zone. Suárez lunged unsuccessfully for strike three.
"It’s just one of those things as a baseball player, you’re going to face guys a lot, and obviously we’re in different leagues," Whitlock said of Suárez. "He was with Seattle last year for a good amount. It’s one of those things you face guys a lot and you have to move on fast as a reliever, take the ones as they come and don’t ride the highs too high."
Overall, the Reds had only four hits and were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They were shut out 13 times in 2025, including three straight 1-0 losses from April 1-3.
“We didn’t have a lot of chances, but we had a few. And we didn’t cash in today," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "We’ll work on doing that a little better Saturday.”
Suárez, who spent 2015-21 with the Reds, was celebrated by Cincinnati upon the news he was returning. He felt the love on Opening Day as he drove familiar streets to the ballpark with his family, including his two young daughters.
"When I drove here, both my daughters were [in the backseat]. ... My oldest daughter said ‘Let’s go Cincinnati. Let’s go,’ and they booed Boston. That was something very special."
A special moment in Game 1 of 162 wasn't to be, but Suárez appreciated the raucous reception he received during player introductions.
"A lot of people know me here, and it’s awesome to see that from our fans," he said. "It’s very special for me because I came back. To see the welcoming is very good for me.”