Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson made MLB history on Sunday in one the most unexpected ways possible. Even a double take at the statline might not be enough to understand it.
The 27-year-old became the first player to score two-plus runs without seeing a single pitch the entire game. He completed the feat in the Reds 7-4 win over the Minnesota Twins in 10 innings, a much-needed step for him in the right direction after a slow start to the season.
How it all happened
The history-making began in the ninth inning. Trailing 3-1, Cincinnati’s Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson hit back-to-back singles to start the rally. Benson, who has 38 career stolen bases, came in to pinch run for Stephenson as the tying run.
Two batters later, Dane Myers walked to load the bases, setting the table for TJ Friedl. And on a 0-1 count, he brought home Benson and company with a bases clearing, three-RBI double to right center to give the Reds a 4-3 lead.
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The Twins tied it in the bottom half, sending the contest to extras and potentially giving Benson the opportunity to hit, who was due up fourth. But, the Atlanta, Ga. native didn’t get the chance to swing the bat. He was intentionally walked with two outs and Eugenio Suárez on second base — a strategy the Twins used in hopes of getting a force out at first, second or third to end the inning.
That final out didn’t come before Benson scored for a second time, though, racing around the bases on Rece Hinds’ line drive double down the left field line, the at-bat after his walk. The Twins didn’t attempt to relay it home and throw out Benson, who was two strides away from touching home plate as the baseball made its way back into the infield.
It was the final run of the ball game.
A potential turnaround to a rough start
Benson has struggled to find much success at the plate in 2026, hitting .188 with six hits across 32 at-bats.
A 2016 first round draft pick for the Cleveland Guardians, Benson made his major league debut in 2022 and was traded to Cincinnati in 2023. He put together his best season to date following the trade, batting .275 alongside 11 home runs and 31 RBIs.
He hasn’t returned to that career-year form since then, dancing between the majors and the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats, throughout the last four seasons. And if his numbers continue to dip as the year continues, the Reds may decide to send him down again.
His worst batting average came during his rookie season, hitting .182 in just 28 games.
That’s why Sunday was so important, thrusting Benson into the national spotlight positively and potentially awarding him momentum heading into late April. The Reds outfield features Friedl, Steer and Hinds, each pivotal in Cincinnati’s comeback win on Sunday, but Benson’s tools and success could provide them another player who brings great speed, power and fielding at his disposal.
