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I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Unexpected Pitching Duel Turns Reds Way Sparked By A Pirate Fielding Error


Brandon Drury's two out triple broke open a low scoring tight game to give the Reds a split in the makeup double header with a 5-1 win.

The second game of the makeup doubleheader between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds turned into an unexpected pitching duel.

The Reds orginally scheduled Tyler Mahle to make the start but he was placed on the injured list on Wednesday with shoulder fatigue.

The Reds were forced into a bullpen day and when they lost Luis Cessa in the first game.  They placed Robert Dugger on the roster.  Dugger pitched for the Reds earlier this season without distinction.  He was claimed on waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 4.  He pitched three innings, allowing three runs and was designated for assignment.  Clearing waivers, he was assigned to Louisville.

"It started with Hoffy," David Bell said.  "No matter what we were going to put guys in situations that they were uncomfortable with.  We would have to stretch some guys based on their work load.  Dugger came up in a tough spot.  We asked a lot of him. " I never expected Reiver to finish the game based on what he's done the last couple days but it got to a point that it was easy for him."

The Reds started Jeff Hoffman who pitched a 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Ross Detwiler was next.  He game up a one out double to Ben Gamel and a two out single to Daniel Vogelbach to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Pirates starter, Bryse Wilson, brought up as the 27th man for this game, protected the lead.  The Reds put a runner on second base in each of the four innings but couldn't score until Tyler Naquin hit a two-out solo home run in the sixth.

Dugger was in his fifth inning, having completed the third with a strikeout and adding five more whiffs before putting two guys on in the seventh.  Oneil Cruz opened with an infield single.  Josh VanMeter walked with one out.  Pinch hitter Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a ground ball to short but the Reds couldn't turn the double play.  

"My job today was to eat some innings and keep us in the ballgame," Dugger said. "I thought I did a pretty good job of that.  Me and Papierski had a pretty good connection. We work out together in the off season."

Reiver Sanmartin struck out Ben Gamel to end the frame.

Wilson held the mound into the seventh inning.  He got the first two Reds batters out but VanMeter booted Nick Senzel's slow roller.  Mike Papierski singled into right field, sending Senzel to third.  Jonathan India delivered the Reds second run with a single to right.  

"Their pitcher pitched a good game but it was a matter of time before we broke through," Bell said.  "It was a big hit for Jon.  He's just grinding it out."

Wilson left the game in favor of Chris Stratton.  Wilson pitched 6 2/3 strong innings.  He allowed four runs, one earned on seven hits. He did not issue a walk and struck out four.

Sanmartin earned the win with 2 2/3 innings. It was his first win after four losses.  He won two games at the end of last season but struggled as a starter at the beginning of the season.

"I was going to do whatever I could until they took me out of the game," Sanmartin said. "Just to have the coaches, the manager and the team had the confidence in me to finish the game, gave me confidence."

Bell was playing every thing by ear.  He was goins to react to the effectiveness of each pitcher.  

 I never expected Reiver to finish the game based on what he's done the last couple days but it got to a point that it was easy for him,"  Bell said.

 


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