Reds 3 Marlins 1
Making his 20th start of the season, Hunter Greene fired six dominant innings of one hit, shutout baseball and the Reds took the opening game of their series vs the Marlins 3-1 Monday night in Miami. Four Reds pitchers held the Marlins to five hits on the evening. The Reds lost the shutout bid when Hunter Strickland allowed a two-out RBI single in the 9th inning. He then escaped a bases loaded jam he created.
Since starting the season 3-22, the Reds have gone 38-39. They have won 13 of their last 20 to pull within a half game of the third place Cubs.
Fabulous: Hunter Greene 6 IN, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 HBP, 8 Ks. 84 pitches/58 strikes. He struck out the side in the 4th inning. Pitch usage: 50 Fastball, 29 Slider,
5 Changeup. He got 10 swings and misses with the slider and 5 with the fastball. His fastball topped out at 101.0 mph and averaged 98.6. Greene is at 102.2 innings this year. He threw 106.1 between AA/AAA last year. It will be interesting to see how the Reds manage his final two months.
Back-to-back excellence: Greene and Nick Lodolo have combined for 12 IN, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 15 K the last two games.
Scratched/traded: Tommy Pham went from the starting lineup to scratched just prior to the game to being traded to Boston for a player to be named later or cash consideration.
Welcome back: Albert Almora made his return from the IL and promptly delivered a three hit night. He had a two-out two-run double to give the Reds a 2-0 2nd inning lead. He later added another double and single.
2 out magic: Jonathan India flipped a two-out RBI single in the 7th inning to make it 3-0.......He has reached base safely in 17 straight games.
Streaking: Joey Votto singled in the 2nd inning to extend his hit streak to five games.
Bullpen: Reiver Sanmartin 0.2....Ian Gibaut 1.1.......Hunter Strickland 1.0, 1 R.
In a pinch: Jake Fraley delivered a pinch-hit single, his 5th hit in three games since his return.
Step right up: With Tyler Naquin and Tommy Pham traded, that means playing time for guys like Jake Fraley, Albert Almora Jr., perhaps Stuart Fairchild, TJ Friedl, Aristides Aquino.