Reds Strike Out 11 With Dramatic ABS Challenge in 9th, Unlocking Free Pizza

Tim RyanWed, April 29, 2026 at 4:39 AM UTC

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The Cincinnati Reds have been running a "Strikeouts for Slices" promotion with LaRosa's Pizzeria this season where any time the team's pitching staff records 11 strikeouts in a game, fans win free pizza.

On Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies, a 13-17 club coming off a three-game series against the Mets in which they struck out 33 times, the stakes for that elusive free pizza reached a fever pitch in the ninth inning.

With 10 strikeouts in the books and Brock Burke on the mound holding a 1-2 count against Edouard Julien, his next pitch was initially called a ball.

But that's why teams are allotted two opportunities per game to turn to robots for the correct call and, in turn, free pizza.

'Free Pizza for Everyone!' Reds Challenge in 9th Inning Awarded Free Pizza for the Whole Crowd

Mar 12, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The pitch was clearly very close and despite sitting comfortably with a 7-2 lead, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson wisely signaled for the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge while those in attendance at Great American Ball Park awaited with great anticipation.

Check out this pop from the crowd after the pitch was overturned and rightfully ruled a strike, officially marking that fateful 11th strikeout:

"Stephenson's won one [challenge] tonight, can he win pizza for those in the stands?" Reds announcer John Sadak asked, as he expertly dialed up the drama.

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"The crowd's ready to burst... that's a strike! Pizza for everybody!"

After allowing the free pizza moment to properly breathe, Sadak simply stated, "He [Stephenson] does it for the people."

Any baseball fan who went into the 2026 MLB season wondering whether or not bringing in the ABS Challenge System would be a good idea for the game should really need no further convincing.

As one fan on X plainly put it, "The ABS system is reviving the sport of baseball. Amazing."

There are very few things in this world that can bring people together, and do so in such quick fashion.

But free pizza is certainly one of them.

Related: Paul Skenes Actually Delivers on Bouncy House for Konnor Griffin's 20th Birthday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Sports”