The Cincinnati Reds fell to the Atlanta Braves in their long-awaited matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway, a game that had already been postponed once due to weather. Despite the unusual setting — and the dramatic way they brought in Lyon Richardson — the Reds couldn’t find a way to win.
Richardson thought his night was over after being optioned to Triple-A Louisville, but the Reds had other plans ahead of the big game. Just hours later, a sudden need for pitching led to a surprise twist — Richardson was called back up for the matchup against the Braves in Bristol.
In a rare move, the Reds arranged for Richardson to fly on the MLB commissioner’s private plane, getting him to the Speedway Classic in time, as reported by Ken Rosenthal for FOX. From packing for a minor league stint to landing in style, it was a whirlwind 24 hours for the right-hander, who’s been with the Reds since 2023.
Strong outing for Richardson
Despite the loss, Richardson made good use of the private jet ride. He threw two solid innings, allowed just one hit, and gave up no runs. It was his first clean appearance — with no earned runs — since July 28.
When is the next game at Bristol Motor Speedway?
For now, the Reds-Braves game was the only MLB contest scheduled at Bristol Motor Speedway this season. No additional games have been announced by the league, and the first attempt to play this one was rained out — something that’s not unusual for a venue known more for NASCAR than baseball.
Meanwhile, the MLB Little League Classic is set for August 17, when the Mariners will face the Mets at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The last time it was held there, the Tigers edged the Yankees 3–2.