Recap: Sonny Gray Strikes Out 10, Reds win 8-1

On3 imageby:Brandon Ramsey•08/14/20•

BRamseyKSR

(@Reds)

After two consecutive starts that lasted two innings or fewer by Reds starters, Sonny Gray got the train back on the tracks this evening. Gray pitched a beautiful 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out 10 batters. Gray is now 4-1 on the season with 2.05 Earned Run Average.

The Reds offense struck first this evening in the bottom of the second inning when Jesse Winker squeaked an opposite-field Home Run over the fence in left field. Winker blasted another round-tripper, this time a two-run shot, in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Reds a 3-0 lead.

The Pirates got their lone run of the game via a Home Run from Bryan Reynolds in the top of the 4th inning. The Pirates only saw one runner get to third base all game long.

After a couple of quiet innings, Josh VanMeter led off the bottom of the seventh with a double and was moved to third base on an infield single by Freddy Galvis. Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chris Stratton then recorded two outs before facing Nick Castellanos. Despite going just 4 for his last 33 at the plate, Castellanos broke out of his slump by sending a three-run Home Run over the center field fence to bring the Cincinnati lead to 7-1.

Back-to-back two-out doubles in the eighth inning from Freddy Galvis and Tucker Barnhart would tack on another run to bring the score to 8-1. 

Being tasked with recording just seven outs this evening, the Reds bullpen came in and closed things down through a perfect 2 1/3 innings to finish off an 8-1 victory. The Reds (9-11) will send Trevor Bauer to the mound tomorrow evening against left-hander Steven Brault of the Pirates (4-14). The first pitch at Great American Ball Park is set for 6:10 p.m. Eastern Time.

Jesse Winker is on FIRE

I think I’ve used that headline for almost a week straight now, but he continues to earn it night after night. Tonight Winker went 2-3 at the plate with a Walk, two Home Runs and three Runs Batted In. This was the first multi-Home Run game of his career. Winker is now an incredible 17 for his last 29 at the plate (.586) with three Doubles and five Home Runs in that span. He began the season 1-22. 

Excellent Start by Sonny Gray

In baseball, they sometimes refer to an outstanding pitcher as a “stopper” because he can end a losing streak with his performance on the mound. The Reds had just lost two straight, but Sonny Gray served as a very important stopper tonight. Cincinnati starters only threw 3 2/3 innings over the previous two games, placing a heavy workload on the bullpen. Tonight, Gray was able to pitch 6 2/3 innings of one-run baseball to let some arms get some much-needed rest. 

Tonight’s outing was Gray’s second 10+ strikeout game of the season and the ninth of his career. He also extended his Major League record streak of starts where he’s allowed six or fewer hits to 38. Gray took another Cincinnati Reds all-time record as well after recording 45 strikeouts through his first five starts. Luis Castillo was the previous record-holder with 41 K’s in 2019.

PERFECT Bullpen

Last evening, despite losing 9-6, the Reds bullpen threw seven innings of excellent baseball allowing just two hits and no runs. Tonight Nate Jones took over for Sonny Gray and recorded the final out of the seventh before turning the ball over to Tyler Thornburg.

Thornburg, who just had his contract selected from the Reds alternate site today, pitched two innings of perfect baseball and struck out three to slam the door on the Pirates. The Jones-Thornburg duo combined for 2 1/3 perfect innings on the mound.

Box Score

@BRamseyKSR

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2024-04-24