Athletics at Cincinnati Reds

When Monday's Trade Deadline came and went without him being dealt away from the Reds, catcher Tyler Stephenson could immediately relax and felt the weight of uncertainty lift. “I did sleep a lot better last night, that’s for sure," Stephenson said. Stephenson wasn't the only one. So did his batterymate, starting pitcher Brady Singer, after he learned he also wasn't being moved. "Once I got in the middle of yesterday, I started definitely stressing out and all that," Singer said. "It’s a lot, a trade in the middle of the year. Moving and all that. And my wife and kid are here with me too, so it’d be a lot to move. I’m happy I obviously didn’t have to move and I’m here competing with these guys.” The Reds went on to take a 5-4 win over the A's at Great American Ball Park where the tying run – Elly De La Cruz – and the winning run – Sal Stewart – both scored on a pair of wild pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning. “I’m happy Stevo stayed, that’s my guy," Stewart said. "I’m happy Brady stayed. Everyone knows that’s my guy. I’m happy with the group that we have, and I feel like we’re going to make a good run now.” Stephenson, a 2015 first-round pick and the longest-tenured Red after debuting in 2020, was visibly emotional after Sunday's game. The 29-year-old, who hit a homer in his first big league at-bat, also hit one vs. the Pirates in the eighth inning of a 10-2 win while wondering if that was also his last ever at-bat for Cincinnati.