NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Batters, pitchers and catchers aren’t the only beneficiaries of the ABS challenge system. The fans benefit too.
The ABS Challenge System helped Cincinnati Reds fans get free pizza during the ninth inning of the team’s 7-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.
When the Reds strike out 11 batters in a game, fans receive a free pizza from the local pizzeria, LaRosa’s. The Reds had 10 strikeouts in the top of the ninth inning and needed one more to earn their fans free pizza.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke celebrates with catcher Tyler Stephenson after the final out in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won the game 7-2 in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 28, 2026. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Reds reliever Brock Burke led 1-2 in the count against Colorado Rockies second baseman Edouard Julien. Burke fired a 98 mph fastball to the edge of the zone, but home plate umpire Carlos Torres called it a ball.
Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson thought otherwise and tapped the top of his helmet to issue the challenge. As the challenge appeared on the scoreboard, Reds play-by-play announcer John Sadak created the moment.
“Stephenson won a (challenge) tonight, can he win a pizza for those in the stands?” Sadak said on the show.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
A general view of Great American Ball Park during the seventh inning of the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds. in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 14, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The replay confirmed it was a strike, giving fans free pizza, and the place went crazy.
“The crowd is ready to erupt. It’s a strike! He’s doing it for everyone! He’s doing it for the people,” Sadak said.
The show cut to a noisy crowd celebrating their free pizza. With Burke’s removal on the canceled call, all fans received a small free pizza at LaRosa’s.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Brock Burke pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 28, 2026. (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
For good measure, Burke retired the Rockies’ 12th batter to end the game and secure the victory.
With the win, the Reds improved to 19-10, which leads the National League Central. They will face the Rockies (13-17) on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET in the second game of their three-game series.
