WILL BENSON NEWS

Francona wins in return to Cleveland as Reds manager, jokes about getting lost in renovated ballpark

Terry Francona returned to Cleveland for the first time since being named Cincinnati’s manager and the Reds opened a three-game series against the Guardians on Monday

JUNE 9 • Associated Press

Gavin Lux hits a grand slam, Reds rout Diamondbacks 13-1 for 2nd win of the day

Gavin Lux hit a grand slam, Christian Encarnacion-Strand homered for the second straight game and the Cincinnati Reds routed the Arizona Diamondbacks 13-1 on Saturday after complet...

JUNE 7 • Associated Press

Hits late homer in win Benson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Brewers.

Impact Benson struck out in his first three at-bats but erased all of that with a solo home run in the eighth to make it a 4-2 lead for the Reds. Since May 21, Benson's cooled off considerably since his mini outburst at the plate in mid-May during which he had five homers and 10 RBI in four games. Since May 21, he's hitting just .147/.205/.245 with a 30.8 percent strikeout rate.

JUNE 4 • ROTOWIRE

Friedl makes game-saving grab and Reds rally to snap Brewers' 8-game streak with 4-2 win

TJ Friedl made a leaping catch in center field for the final out to rob pinch-hitter Jake Bauers of a tying home run, and the Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 4-2 victory that snapped...

JUNE 4 • Associated Press

Seiya's clutch knock, Brown's 9 K's cap Cubs' tight win vs. Reds CHICAGO -- Seiya Suzuki lofted an eighth-inning pitch from Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft high down the right-field line, where Wrigley Field...

MAY 31 • MLB.COM

Ben Brown stars as Cubs combine on a 1-hitter to beat Reds 2-0

Drew Pomeranz, Ben Brown, Brad Keller and Daniel Palencia combined on a one-hitter, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-0

MAY 31 • Associated Press

Moves to left field Benson started in left field and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.

Impact Benson, who had been playing right field for an injured Jake Fraley, maintained a lineup presence with Fraley's return Friday. A convenient opening in left field occurred when the Reds placed Austin Hays (foot) on the 10-day injured list Friday. Benson has cooled off since he homered five times in four games in the middle of the month, going 3-for-21 with two walks, three RBI and two runs over his last seven games.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Abbott pitches 7 crisp innings as the Reds hold off the Cubs for a 6-2 win

Andrew Abbott pitched seven shutout innings in his third consecutive win, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs

MAY 30 • Associated Press

Nick Martinez, Tyler Stephenson help Reds to a 7-4 win over the Royals

Nick Martinez worked seven strong innings and Tyler Stephenson homered to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-4 win over the Kansas City Royals

MAY 26 • Associated Press

Royals open 3-game series against the Reds

The Kansas City Royals open a three-game series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday

MAY 26 • Associated Press

Reds' Will Benson riding wave of positivity following NL Player of the Week honor After winning a weekly NL award, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson's had a quieter week, but there's definitely been a carry-over effec...

MAY 25 • CINCINNATI.COM

Back in lineup Benson started in right field and went 0-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Cubs.

Impact Benson was back in the lineup against a right-handed starter, after he was held out against southpaws the last three games. Benson made an impact immediately after his call-up from Triple-A Louisville with five home runs, three doubles, 11 RBI, one steal and seven runs scored over his first 10 games. Since then, he's gone 0-for-5 over seven plate appearances. With news that Jake Fraley (calf) started a rehab assignment, Benson's run as the primary right fielder against right-handers may end soon.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Reds host the Cubs on 4-game home win streak

The Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs trying to extend a four-game home winning streak

MAY 23 • Associated Press

Sits against lefty again Benson, who was held out of the lineup for a second straight day against a lefty, entered Wednesday's game as a pinch runner and was caught stealing.

Impact Benson has a career .138 average and .451 OPS against southpaws, so holding him out of starting lineups against them is expected. He finished the game in right field. Following Thursday's off-day, the Reds return home Friday to face the Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd, which means Benson could sit a third straight game.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against lefty again Benson, who was held out of the lineup for a second straight day against a lefty, entered Wednesday's game as a pinch runner and was caught stealing.

Impact Benson has a career .138 average and .451 OPS against southpaws, so holding him out of starting lineups against them is expected. He finished the game in right field. Following Thursday's off day, the Reds return home Friday to face the Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd, which means Benson could sit a third straight game.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates ride Andrew Heaney and 4 relievers to a 3-1 win over the Reds

Andrew Heaney and four relievers combined on a four-hitter as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged Cincinnati 3-1

MAY 21 • Associated Press

Pirates and Reds meet, winner claims 3-game series

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds play on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series

MAY 21 • Associated Press

On bench versus lefty Benson is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Impact The 26-year-old has gone 12-for-34 with five homers in 10 games since being called up by Cincinnati on May 9, but he'll sit Tuesday against Pittsburgh lefty Bailey Falter. Benson should continue to see plenty of at-bats while filling the strong side of a platoon in right field with Jake Fraley (calf) sidelined.

MAY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates bring 4-game losing streak into matchup with the Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates aim to break a four-game skid when they take on the Cincinnati Reds

MAY 20 • Associated Press

Austin Hays, Nick Lodolo lead Reds to their fifth consecutive victory, 7-1 over scuffling Pirates

Austin Hays had three hits and two RBIs, and scored the go-ahead run as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 for their fifth consecutive victory

MAY 20 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Will Benson homers twice as Reds sweep Guardians Deadspin | Will Benson homers twice as Reds sweep Guardians

MAY 19 • DEADSPIN.COM

Deadspin | Will Benson, Reds coming in hot against woeful Pirates Deadspin | Will Benson, Reds coming in hot against woeful Pirates

MAY 19 • DEADSPIN.COM

Pirates aim to end 3-game losing streak, take on the Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates aim to end a three-game losing streak when they play the Cincinnati Reds

MAY 19 • Associated Press

Rips two homers Benson went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Sunday's win over Cleveland.

Impact Benson stayed red-hot Sunday and provided all of the offensive production in the 3-1 victory. He's gone deep five times during his four-game homer streak. Since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville earlier this month, he's gone 11-for-26 (.423) with seven extra-base hits and 11 RBI. Benson's hot bat has earned him regular playing time lately, and that should continue, at least until Jake Fraley (calf) returns.

MAY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Will Benson's first 2-homer game leads Reds to 3-1 win and 3-game sweep of Guardians

Will Benson had his first two-homer game, going deep for the fourth straight day to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-1 victory and their first three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guar...

MAY 18 • Associated Press