Former Reds Infielder Critical of Manager Terry Francona After Postseason Loss

The Cincinnati Reds made the postseason for the first time since the shortened 2020 season, but were bounced by the Los Angeles Dodgers after just two games.

Sal Stewart misplayed a ball in the field and struck out with the bases loaded in Wednesday's game, but he also had two hits and three RBIs. He blamed himself for the loss.

"I didn't execute bases loaded," Stewart told Caleb Noe of WCPO. "I didn't get the job done and then I went out on the field and couldn't make the throw to Nick so that inning was definitely a big turning point. Tough pill to swallow."

"No accomplishment. I cost the team the game. Simple as that."

Former Reds shortstop Zack Cozart weighed in on Stewart's comments and was critical on manager Terry Francona.

"The fact that you have a 21-year-old with a month in the big leagues feeling like he’s to blame for the loss says everything u need to know about Tito’s performance," Cozart posted on X.

With the Reds trailing late in the game, Will Benson was at the plate. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts replaced his pitcher with a 1-2 count and brought on a left-handed pitcher. Francona responded and pulled Will Benson with Miguel Andujar, who hits lefties well. Andujar struck out on one pitch, which goes in the book as a strikeout for Benson.

"The manager's job is to put players in a position to succeed… this was literally the opposite … for Benson and Andujar," Cozart posted.

There were multiple head-shaking decisions made in Wednesday's elimination game.

You can see Cozart's full posts below:

The fact that you have a 21 year old with a month in the big leagues feeling like he’s to blame for the loss says everything u need to know about Tito’s performance…
— Zack Cozart (@zack_cozart) October 2, 2025

The mangers job is to put players in a position to succeed… this was literally the opposite … for Benson and Andujar
— Zack Cozart (@zack_cozart) October 2, 2025