Brandon Williamson delivers strong start as Reds edge Twins

Brandon Williamson worked deep into the game in Cincinnati’s win over Minnesota.

Brandon Williamson gave the Reds exactly what they needed on Friday night, allowing one run in 5 1/3 innings as Cincinnati beat the Twins in Minneapolis. The left-hander kept the game under control and helped the Reds move another step forward in a tight early-season race.

Williamson has been working back into form after a long road to return, and this outing showed more of the stability Cincinnati has wanted from him. He mixed his pitches well, limited damage and gave the bullpen a manageable lead to protect.

The start came after Williamson had already logged a solid win earlier in April against Miami, where he struck out four in a shutout effort. That run has helped him settle into the rotation after a rougher 2026 debut, when he was hit hard by Pittsburgh.

For the Reds, Williamson’s performance mattered because it kept the club in position to keep building momentum. His ability to go into the sixth inning also eased pressure on a bullpen that had to handle the rest of the night