The Cincinnati Reds aren’t a great team on paper, but manager Terry Francona has led them to a winning record.

Francona often did that during his decade as the Cleveland manager, and he returned to Progressive Field last night in the Reds dugout.

Cincinnati won 7-4 to clinch a victory in the Ohio Cup series. Cleveland had owned the Cup for the last 10 years.

Maybe it should be called the Francona Cup.

ANOTHER SLOW START

Luis Ortiz (3-7) started for the Guardians, and he fell into a 2-0 hole after three innings.

Jake Fraley hit an RBI single in the second, and TJ Friedl launched a solo home run in the third.

Cleveland took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third off Wade Miley (1-0). Angel Martinez singled to score Bo Naylor.

Jose Ramirez hit an RBI single and landed on second base after Lane Thomas was tagged out in a rundown. Santana then singled to score Ramirez.

THE RED MENACE

However, Cincinnati bounced back and scored single runs in the next four innings. Let’s look at the Reds rally in a numbered list:

4. Jake Fraley hit his fifth homer of the season

5. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a sacrifice fly

6. Gavin Lux singled to score Fraley

7. Will Benson stuck it to his old team AGAIN with an RBI single

Remember, Benson homered in all three of the Ohio Cup games in Cincinnati against his former teammates.

Cleveland catcher Bo Naylor homered for the second straight day to cut the lead to 6-4.

However, the Guardians couldn’t get any closer. The Reds’ Connor Joe added an RBI single in the ninth.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Things will get even tougher for the Guardians tonight when they face lefty Andrew Abbott (5-1, 2.18 ERA).

Slade Cecconi (1-2, 4.87) will throw the first pitch at 6:40 p.m.