KSReds: Cincinnati Reds Win Series Versus Marlins

On3 imageby:Brandon Ramsey08/04/22

BRamseyKSR

It isn’t often that you can win a Major League Baseball series by scoring just five total runs. However, that is what the Cincinnati Reds did to start the week against the Miami Marlins. Back-to-back excellent starts by rookies Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft led to a pair of wins. The Marlins flipped the script on Wednesday though shutting out the Reds.

Cincinnati still has not lost a series since the All-Star Break. They are 8-5 during that four series stretch but still just 42-62 overall. After a day off to travel on Thursday, the Reds continue their road trip with a weekend series in Milwaukee. First pitch against the Brewers is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday night. The Brew Crew currently lead the National League Central with a record of 57-47.

Hunter Greene Dominates, Reds Take Series Opener

Highly touted rookie Hunter Greene has struggled for the Cincinnati Reds this season. There is no denying that fact. However, on Monday night he flashed his potential brilliance with one of his best starts of the season. Greene, who hadn’t won a game since June, pitched six innings of shutout baseball allowing just one hit while striking out eight.

Oddly enough, despite his struggles, Greene is in rarified air among MLB rookie pitchers. Monday marked the flamethrower’s third start of the season throwing six or more innings while striking out eight and allowing no more than one hit. He is the only rookie in the modern era to accomplish that feat.

At the plate, Albert Almora Jr. returned to the Reds lineup and turned in a 3-4 performance with a pair of RBI. He put Cincy on top 2-0 with his two run double in the second inning. Almora Jr. later scored on a Jonathan India single that made it 3-0 in the seventh.

Hunter Strickland allowed three hits, a walk, and a run in the bottom of the ninth but was able to escape with his seventh save of the season. The Reds won the series opener 3-1.

Graham Ashcraft Comes Out on Top of Pitcher’s Duel

For the second time in as many nights a Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher dominated on the mound. On Tuesday night in Miami it was Graham Ashcraft’s turn. He became the first Reds pitcher to record multiple starts of over eight innings with his eight one-thirds performance allowing just one unearned run on five hits. However, despite the masterful performance, the game was still in doubt until the final out.

Aristides Aquino drove in a pair of runs with a single to right field in the top of the first inning to put the Reds on top 2-0. After that, Cincinnati’s offense went completely cold. For the game they totaled just three hits and struck out 15 times against Marlins pitching.

In the bottom of the ninth, with the score sitting at 2-1, Jesus Aguilar doubled down the left field line to put the tying run in scoring position with one out. That hit lifted Ashcraft from the game and David Bell turned to Alexis Diaz. After the second out of the inning the runner advanced to third base, but Diaz stranded him there with a game-ending strikeout. Diaz’s fourth save gave the Reds a 2-1 victory and clinched the series.

Sandy Alcantara Shutout the Reds to Avoid Sweep

If you blinked, you might have missed Wednesday’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins. Obvious hyperbole aside, for baseball standards, the two hour and eight minute affair absolutely blew by. Cy Young candidate Sandy Alcantara was dominate for the Marlins and the Reds pitching staff wasn’t bad in their own right.

The Reds threatened in the top of the first inning by loading the bases, but Aristides Aquino bounced back to the pitcher for an easy out. They would never really threaten again. Alcantara mowed down batter after batter on his way to a complete game shutout. He is now 10-4 on the season with a dazzling 1.88 earned run average. Miami won 3-0 thanks to a home run by Jesus Aguilar in the fourth and a two-run double by Garrett Cooper in the fifth inning.

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2024-03-28