The Cincinnati Reds won their second straight game while scoring only two runs, 2-1, over the Texas Rangers before 31,561 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Cincinnati’s third straight overall win represented a three-game sweep of the Rangers. It was their ninth consecutive errorless game, and the team’s 6-3 record represents their best nine-game record in five years. Though not involved in the decision, Chase Burns was the star of the game, striking out nine, walking only one and allowing only a solo homer in six-plus innings.
As this post goes live, the Reds are tied with Pittsburgh at 6-3, one game behind Milwaukee in the National League Central Division.
The Offense
Cincinnati bat wielders’ combination line today: 9-for-35 (.257), 4 walks, 12 strikeouts and the 2 runs.
A scoreless tie was broken in the top of the fourth when Elly De La Cruz led off with a hit to right, and advanced to second on a long fly out to right by Sal Stewart. Eugenio Suarez followed with a grounder to the left of second base that benefited from an extreme Texas defensive configuration expecting Suarez to pull. With shortstop Corey Seager pulled into the hole, the ball rolled through for an RBI single and the game’s first run.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the eighth, Matt McLain led off against lefty reliever Robert Garcia with a walk, stole second, and scored on De La Cruz’s second single of the game to right to make it 2-1 Reds. With one out and Suarez at the plate, De La Cruz stole second. Suarez walked, and Schumacher brought on righty Chris Martin with one out. Spencer Steer looped one to left for a hit, but De La Cruz advanced only to third, receiving a hold-up sign from third-base coach Willie Harris. That was costly, as De La Cruz was then doubled off third base on a Tyler Stephenson liner to second baseman Josh Smith to end the inning.
The Pitching
Reds pitchers’ composite box score line today: 9 innings, 6 hits allowed, 1 walk, 15 strikeouts and just the 1 run.
During Burns’ first six innings, he allowed four singles and a walk while striking out nine. But in the seventh, the first batter into Burns’ longest appearance ever, Joc Pederson’s first hit of the year was a solo homer to tie the game. Evan Carter followed with an infield hit, prompting Manager Terry Francona to lift Burns and insert Pierce Johnson.
Carter stole second and went to third on a long flyout to centerfield. Smith drew a walk, putting runners on first and third with one out. During pinch-hitter Andrew McCutchen’s at-bat, Smith advanced to second on a wild pitch that catcher Tyler Stephenson blocked in front of the plate. Johnson struck out McCutchen, which set the managerial wheels rolling. Texas Manager Skip Schumacher sent Brandon Nimmo to pinch-hit, and Francona responded by calling upon lefty Sam Moll. On a 3-2 count, Moll struck out Nimmo swinging to preserve the tie and continue his status as the early surprise of the bullpen crew.
With a one-run lead, Connor Phillips retired the first two batters in the eighth before a double by Jake Burger and a walk to Pederson. But the lead was preserved on a long Carter flyout to centerfielder Dane Myers.
Former Ranger Brock Burke struck out the side in the ninth for his first career save.
In two starts, Burns now has pitched 11 innings with 16 strikeouts and a 0.82 ERA.
One fan’s thoughts
A few questions have come to mind after the season’s first nine games:
- Starting pitching greatness? We’ve seen two young starting pitchers with two starts each over the first nine games with a combined ERA of 1.23. Burns and Rhett Lowder both have some early-career statistics that compare favorably with some all-time greats. If they continue at anywhere near the level of effectiveness they have displayed to date, you just have to wonder might be in store for this team if Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo can rejoin them in what could be a four-man rotation with the equivalent of four ace starters. That’s a team that can win ANY series, regular or post-season. But the issue will be innings limits on both, due to a scarcity of the same by both so far in their very young careers. It’s going to be very interesting to see how that is handled and managed.
- Where in the world is Rece Hinds? In case you hadn’t heard, he’s in centerfield for the Louisville Bats. That caught me by surprise when I heard it yesterday. To me, it means the front office wants to see how he can handle it defensively. They already know he can handle Class AAA pitching with the best of them. I have to think there is a purpose to moving him from right field to center. Noelvi Marte has become essentially persona non grate, so why not bring up Hinds and send down Marte to work out whatever issues have been hindering his hitting?
- Who is the closer? For this team to go anywhere in the post-season, a closer other than Emilio Pagan will need to emerge. He did a good job last season, and has three saves so far through nine games, but you really never know what you’re going to get when he comes in the game. Leadoff walk? Game-changing-homer? Occasionally, yeah. I’d like to see Phillips take the next step and harness his control like Burns has. I’ve also been very impressed by Graham Ashcraft’s at-times shutdown stuff. But he’s still a question mark until you know you can count on him to not walk hitters. Tony Santillan’s velocity is down a bit, so we’ll need to see how that progresses.
- Why are Reds hitters waving hands up and down after they reach base? My wife says it’s the “six-seven” gesture? Is that correct? I have no idea.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds at Miami Marlins
Monday, April 6, 6:40 p.m. ET
Brandon Williamson (0-1, 11.57 ERA) vs. Janson Junk (0-0, 4.15 ERA)