Let’s just go ahead and forget almost everything that happened during the first week of the month of May, shall we?
Fresh off a streak-busting victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday spearheaded by Chase Burns, it was once again a Cincinnati Reds starter that fueled a win on Sunday. This time, it was 2025 All Star Andrew Abbott, who fired 6.0 IP of efficient (85 pitches), scoreless ball in his best outing since Opening Day. The bullpen backed up Abbott, who’ll take hom today’s Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game honors, and that was more than enough for a Reds offense that poured out 5 runs on Astros pitching on the day.
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Spencer Steer homered from the #2 spot in the order, doing so after manager Terry Francona moved him up along with Will Benson (who was on-base twice out of the leadoff spot). Elly De La Cruz chipped in with a trio of hits and a steal, JJ Bleday continued his white-hot start in a Reds uniform by tripling in a pair of runs (along with a pair of walks, a steal, and a run scored) and Blake Dunn doubled and walked in a rare start against a RHP.
All told, the Reds pounded out 9 hits, walked five times, and Benson’s HBP added on to a pretty excellent offensive showing when the club really, truly needed it.
Other Notes
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Abbott’s full line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K on 85 pitches. He lowered his season ERA down to 4.47 and looked much, much more like his typical self.
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Matt McLain, who was once again batting 8th, walked twice (one of which drove in a run). The walks are great from him, obviously, but man it would be wonderful to see him hit a ball hard again.
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For the third time already this season, the Reds will have a day-off after having played a game in Cincinnati in which their next game is also at home. So, they get a nice little break without having to travel through it. Nex tup will be the Washington Nationals in town on Tuesday, and Brady Singer will get the start in that one. It remains to be seen how the Reds will line up their rotation after that as Rhett Lowder is heading to the IL for some rest.
