Brought in to finish an 11-4 game, Romano was left in after surrendering a three-run homer to Dane Myers, only to give up an RBI double and a two-run homer afterwards. José Alvarado finally entered at that point and quickly got the final out with the score 11-10. Romano had pitched three straight scoreless innings coming into this one, and he actually had great velocity today, averaging 97.0 mph with his fastball. Still, his ERA stands at 15.26 through 7 2/3 innings, and he simply can’t be trusted in a close game right now.

The Reds got all of their runs in the first three innings and then held on as the Guardians scored in the fourth, fifth and eighth. Benson’s homer started the scoring in the second, as he took an awful Tanner Bibee slider 361 feet to right field. He also homered and knocked in three runs Thursday against the White Sox, and he’s 7-for-18 with a 2/3 K/BB ratio in six games since being recalled last week. He’ll stay in the lineup until he coola off, and he’ll probably remain on the roster over Rece Hinds once Jake Fraley comes off the injured list.

Singer allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four. He’s totaled only seven strikeouts in three starts this month, so he’s looking like a fairly weak option in mixed leagues right now. Fortunately, he is facing the Pirates next, and he wouldn’t be a bad play in that one.

Pagán, who gave up runs in three of his previous four appearances, had no margin for error today, yet he didn’t need it in getting a flyout, a groundout and a strikeout. It’s his 10th save in 12 chances.

Bibee bounced back nicely after giving up all five runs and eight hits in the first three innings, but the damage was done in what turned out to be a 5-4 loss. With four strikeouts today, he still hasn’t fanned more than five batters in any of his nine starts this season. He’s keeping the Guardians in games with his 4.06 ERA, but his ceiling seems so much lower than it did last year. He’ll face the Twins next.

Brennan has gone 0-for-8 while starting three of four games since his callup Monday. While not a massive liability, Brennan is up to 862 big-league plate appearances during which he has shown very little in the way of upside. He’s sporting a career line of .267/.306/.373, giving him a 90 OPS+, and he’s average at best defensively in right.

The Rangers have been without their two highest leverage relievers for most of the week, so getting either of them back would be a big boost for their series opener against the Astros on Friday night. If neither one makes it back though, expect Shawn Armstrong to be the preferred option in the ninth inning once again.