CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds had been on the verge of creating historical past twice Friday night time towards the San Diego…
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds had been on the verge of creating historical past twice Friday night time towards the San Diego Padres.
Nick Martinez was three outs away from changing into the 18th pitcher in Reds franchise historical past to toss a no-hitter, and first baseman Spencer Steer was one swing away from changing into the second Reds participant to homer 4 occasions in a sport.
However, each Martinez and Steer fell quick.
It was nonetheless a memorable night time at Nice American Ball Park as Cincinnati beat San Diego 8-1 for his or her eighth win in 12 video games.
Martinez (5-8) didn’t permit successful till pinch-hitter Elias Diaz doubled off the left-center discipline wall within the ninth. Martinez matched his profession excessive with 112 pitches. He walked two and struck out six earlier than giving method to Taylor Rogers, who sealed the win.
Martinez retired 22 straight batters between a stroll within the first inning and one other to Trenton Brooks to begin the ninth.
It was the longest no-hit bid towards the Padres since Arizona’s Tyler Gilbert accomplished the feat on Aug. 14, 2021.
“That’s as nervous as I’ve been in an extended, very long time,” Reds supervisor Terry Francona stated. “They are saying good issues occur to good folks. What he did this week going to the bullpen. He deserved that.”
It was a far cry from Martinez’s final begin on June 19, when he allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 12-5 loss to the Twins. His subsequent two appearances got here in reduction, tossing three scoreless innings.
“My final begin, focus wasn’t fairly there, received shelled, which isn’t enjoyable,” the 34-year-old right-hander stated. “Popping out of the pen allowed me to simplify issues. It positively helped me tonight.”
Martinez got here inside three outs of the primary no-hitter by a Reds pitcher since Wade Miley on Might 7, 2021, in a 3-0 win at Cleveland.
Steer homered within the second inning and once more within the fourth off Padres right-hander Dylan Stop. He then hit a two-run homer within the fifth off lefty Yuki Matsui. He got here to bat main off the eighth and struck out on a 3-2 pitch from David Morgan.
“With the rating being 8-0 and it being the eighth inning, I can say that for the primary time in my life, I didn’t wish to stroll,” Steer stated. “I used to be attempting to present myself an opportunity to hit a fourth. You by no means know what number of alternatives you’ll get at that.”
It’s the primary profession three-homer sport for Steer, who has 9 homers this season.
The one different Reds participant to go deep 4 occasions in a sport was Scooter Gennett on June 6, 2017, towards the Cardinals, additionally at Nice American Ball Park.
Steer stated his golf sport on Thursday’s off day provided no indication that he’d have a giant day on the plate on Friday.
“I shanked each shot I hit within the entrance 9,” he stated, smiling.
Following his third homer, Steer refused to grant the gang’s request for a curtain name.
“He’s so humble, he wasn’t comfy popping out,” Francona stated. “A part of me thinks it’s cool that he’s so modest that he simply doesn’t wish to do it.”
The potential for a no-hitter and a four-homer sport on the identical night time appeared unlikely, till Friday.
“That may have been one hell of an evening,” Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson stated.
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