Cincinnati Reds Sweep Guardians with Will Benson’s Heroics The Cincinnati Reds completed a stunning three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on May 18, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, their first such sweep of their in-state rivals since 2012. The series, part of the 2025 Ohio Cup, showcased the Reds’ resurgence, with outfielder Will Benson emerging as the standout performer. Benson, a former Guardian, tormented his old team, hitting four home runs across the series, including a career-first two-homer game in the 3-1 finale. On Friday, his second-inning homer and two RBIs sparked a 5-4 win. Saturday’s solo shot in a 4-1 victory marked his third straight game with a homer, and Sunday’s two blasts drove in all three Reds runs. Since his May 9 call-up from Triple-A, Benson has been scorching, batting .423 (11-for-26) with five homers in eight games, a stark contrast to his .650 OPS in 2024. His plate discipline, honed with hitting coach Chris Valaika, has been key: “I’m swinging at pitches I want and taking those I don’t,” Benson said. The Reds’ pitching complemented Benson’s offensive explosion. Starter Andrew Abbott delivered five gritty, scoreless innings on Sunday, navigating a bases-loaded jam. The bullpen, including closer Emilio Pagán’s third save in three days, limited Cleveland to six runs across the series. Cleveland struggled, going 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the finale. This sweep, following a 7-1 rout of the Chicago White Sox, propelled the Reds to .500 (24-24) and ignited momentum heading into a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Benson’s power surge, paired with Cincinnati’s crisp play, signals a team finding its rhythm under manager Terry Francona