Baltimore Orioles at Cincinnati Reds

Fourth of July baseball always brings a palpable buzz. That was especially the case Saturday night in Cincinnati, where 33,047 fans packed Great American Ball Park to witness the 2026 debut of Reds right-hander Hunter Greene, one of MLB’s most electric starters in recent years. But the Orioles were amped up, too. Before the game, Pete Alonso donned American flag-themed shorts in the clubhouse and told multiple people, “Happy Fourth.” The TV was playing “Rocky II,” and the music playlist featured plenty of patriotic tunes, including John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” And Alonso especially couldn’t wait for the postgame fireworks show, remembering it from 2022, when his Mets spent the holiday in this same ballpark. “I was here, and they just put on an absolutely spectacular firework display,” Alonso said. “I’m like, ‘Man, I can’t wait to go back.’” The upbeat energy for the semiquincentennial translated to offensive fireworks during the game. The O’s lineup put together an impressive showing, spoiling Greene’s start by tagging the 26-year-old for eight runs en route to an [8-5 victory