Breaking News: Reds’ Skipper Francona Tossed in Fiery 3-2 Defeat to Royals
Tension boiled over Friday night at Kauffman Stadium as the Cincinnati Reds suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals—a game that saw Reds manager Terry Francona ejected in the sixth inning after a heated dispute with home plate umpire Mark Carlson. What began as a tightly contested pitcher’s duel unraveled into a night of frustration for Cincinnati, capped off by controversy, missed opportunities, and a growing sense of urgency as the Reds continue to skid in the National League standings.
The flashpoint came during the bottom of the sixth inning, with the score tied 2-2 and Royals slugger Bobby Witt Jr. at the plate. Reds starter Andrew Abbott had been efficient all night, but with one out and a runner on first, a borderline 2-2 pitch was called a ball—much to the dismay of the Cincinnati dugout. The next pitch was roped down the left field line for a double, setting the stage for Kansas City’s go-ahead run.
Francona stormed out of the dugout, arguing vociferously with Carlson over the strike zone, particularly the call to Witt. Cameras captured the veteran manager gesturing emphatically and shouting, “That changes the entire inning!” After repeated warnings, Carlson had seen enough, ejecting Francona to a chorus of boos and cheers from the mixed crowd of Royals and Reds fans.
It marked Francona’s second ejection of the season and his 51st career dismissal. After the game, Francona was blunt in his assessment. “I’ve been in this game a long time, and you learn to live with a missed call here and there,” he said. “But when it decides the outcome of an inning like that, you have to speak up for your players. That wasn’t just a missed strike—it was a momentum shift.”
The Royals wasted no time capitalizing on the chaos. With runners on second and third, Vinnie Pasquantino delivered a sharp single to right-center, plating the go-ahead run. Though Abbott limited the damage to just one run, the Reds’ offense couldn’t respond in kind.
Cincinnati managed just one baserunner over the final three innings against a lights-out Kansas City bullpen led by John Schreiber and closer James McArthur. McArthur sealed the win with a perfect ninth inning, striking out two batters and inducing a groundout to shortstop to end the game.
The Reds had their chances earlier in the night but failed to cash in. In the third inning, TJ Friedl reached base with a bunt single and stole second. Spencer Steer followed with a walk, setting up a potential big inning. But with two on and no outs, Elly De La Cruz struck out swinging on a high fastball, and the next two batters grounded out to end the threat.
A similar situation arose in the fifth, when De La Cruz knocked a leadoff double off the wall in left. Once again, the Reds couldn’t push a run across. Christian Encarnacion-Strand lined out, and Jake Fraley grounded into a double play.
In total, Cincinnati went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. It was the kind of offensive futility that has plagued the team throughout a rocky month of May.
Andrew Abbott pitched six and two-thirds strong innings, striking out six and walking just one. He allowed three runs on six hits and kept Kansas City off-balance with his trademark mix of cutters and changeups. Despite the loss, Francona and his players praised Abbott’s performance.
The Reds now fall to 25-31, having lost four of their last five. With a weekend series in Kansas City continuing Saturday night, the pressure is building as they fight to stay afloat in a competitive NL Central.
For Francona, the ejection may have been more than just a protest—it was a statement. Though nearing the end of what many believe could be his final season in the dugout, the 65-year-old skipper made it clear he’s not mailing it in.
