iStockphoto / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Cincinnati Reds took care of business in a midweek showdown with the Colorado Rockies, winning the game 7-2. In doing so, they sent fans home happy and one meal richer.
The team hit a marketing promo by recording 12 strikeouts. One of the final Ks came in the top of the ninth after an ABS review.
The crowd reaction was absolutely electric. The Reds fanbase continues to show the upside of the newly introduced system.
Cincinnati Reds win free pizza.
The team set up a season-long promotion with LaRosa’s Pizzaria for the 2026 campaign. Each time the pitching staff records more than 10 strikeouts, the fans win.
Strikeouts for Slices:
During the 2026 season, when Reds pitchers combine for 11 strikeouts in a Reds home game during 9 or more innings (win or lose), every ticket holder at Great American Ball Park wins a free small 1-topping pizza from LaRosa’s.
On Tuesday, the Reds cashed in. Four pitchers combined to strike out 12 Rockies hitters.
Starter Chase Burns led the way with 9 Ks across 6 IP. Relievers Tony Santillan and Brock Burke followed with three more strikeouts of their own.
Cincinnati entered the top of the ninth frame resting on 10 whiffs. The promo relied on Burke, who succeeded in his mission by sitting down a pair of batters to end the game.
His first strikeout triggered the free pizza giveaway. It came after a missed call by the home plate umpire. The crowd went bananas.
Colorado leadoff hitter Edouard Julien was at the dish with a 2-2 count in his final at-bat. He took a pitch on the outer edge of the plate. It was initially ruled a ball. Cincinnati challenged.
The Reds have a promotion where fans win free pizza if the team gets 11 strikeouts in a game.
They clinched it in the ninth inning on an ABS challenge and it was electric pic.twitter.com/yVPLmlKEX0
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 29, 2026
Upon review, the pitch was ruled a strike. It secured the 11th K and a one-topping pie for everyone in attendance.
Fans know the assignment.
This is not the first time the Cincinnati faithful has relished in an umpire’s mistake. During an opening weekend series with the Red Sox, the home crowd erupted following a pair of ABS reviews.
That instance involved umpire CB Bucknor, an official detested by a number of MLB hitters. On back-to-back pitches, he missed strikes. Both calls were challenged and overturned.
The Reds went 5-for-5 on reviews in that particular outing, which it won 6-5. The crowd erupted after each reversal.
The ABS was introduced this season at the big-league level after being tested in the minors. It’s forced umpires to either be accurate or face the consequences of public shaming.
The Reds know the assignment. They go wild after every missed call. The most recent challenge not only resulted in a Strike 3, but also free pizza.
That’s certainly something to cheer about.