Bearcats Open Season Against The Towson State Tigers With A 35-20 Victory 38-20

 

 

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats put their 22-game streak of season opening wins on the line against the Towson University Tigers.

It is the Bearcats second season in the Big 12 Conference. They start the season with a transfer quarterback from Indiana, Denton, Texas native, Brendon Sorsby, who started seven games for the Hoosiers last season.

Sorsby ran two yards for the touchdown on the Bearcats' first possesion. The drive was seven plays, 75 yards in 3:43.

Towson recovered a fumbled punt on the Cincinnati, 20 but settled for a  32-yard field goal by Keegan Vaughn.

Sorsby connected with Xzavier Henderson for a 42-yard touchdown with 6:50 left in the first quarter, for a 14-3 lead.

Sterling Berkhalter caught a 61-yard bomb with 3:13 for Cincinnati's third touchdown of the quarter.

Towson drove 63 yards to the Cincinnati two but Jared Bartlett stopped.Devin Mathews on the two.

Towson's Carlos Davis found the speedy Jaceon Doss 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. Doss produced lots of daylight between the the defender and himself on the way to a 76-yard touchdown with 9:54 left in the half.

Sorsby ran 12 yards for the Bearcats fourth touchdown of the half.

Davis hit John Dunmore with a jump ball pass to beat Ormanie Arnold with a 28-yard touchdown pass with :19 seconds left to close the halftime gap to 28-17.

Towson closed the gap to eight points with a Keegan Vaughn 31-yard field goal with 10:10 left in the thrid quarter.

Evan Pryor ran 64 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scirmmage after the kickoff.

The Bearcats ate 63 yards in 11 plays to set up Carson Brown's 36-yard field goal.

"That is awesome to start the season 1-0. It is nothing we take for granted. We had a great start to the game. We got out offensively man and hit on all cylinders. It's hard to maintain that the whole game. We are disappointed with turnover we had on the long run. I do think Brendan played a good game. He could have played a lot better. I think there are a couple plays he'd like to have back for sure. Overall was pleased with the way he played."

Cincinnati put up 658 yards and gave up 438.

Athletics Hit Four Home Runs To Send The Reds To A Third Straight Loss

 

 

The Oakland Athletics belted four home runs, including two by Seth Brown and overcame a Reds' comeback to post its second win of the series, 9-6.

It was the 10th straight loss to an American League team in Great American Ball Park this season and was the third staight loss and fifth of the last six.

Fernando Cruz opened the game for the Reds on yet another bullpen day necessitated by the three Reds' starters on the injured list.

"I was just putting myself available," Cruz said. "I know the situation we're in. It's not about numbers, It's not about me. I'm ready for what my team needs. I took it for the team."

Lawrence Butler led off the game with his 16th home run of the season. Cruz recovered and pitched a career-high three innings with a career-high six strikeouts.

Sam Moll entered in the fourth to pitch to a pair of left handed batters. He got the first lefty but /Seth Brown hit his 11th home run to put the A's up 2-0.

Osvaldo Bido started for the Athletics. He came into the game with a three-game, winning streak with a stingy 0.53 ERA. He retired the first 13 Reds' batters until Spencer Steer singled to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

Brent Rooker extended the Athletics lead to 3-0 with his 31st home run, a long blast into the leftfield upper deck off Casey Kelly. It established a new career high for Rooker.

The A's added two more runs in the seventh against Kelly. Daz Cameron, who is the son of former Red Mike Cameron, doubled to open thte inning. Zack Gelof singled to put runners on first and third. Max Schuemann hit a sacrifice fly. Jacob Wilson walked. Butler drove in his second run by beating out a double play ball after Gelof stole second and thirdbase.

Bido went into the seventh inning retiring 18 of the 19 batters he faced. The seventh was less kind to Bido.  Elly De La Cruz opened the inning with a single. Tyler Stephenson extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a double into the leftfield corner that scored De La Cruz. Two outs later Santiago Espinal extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a double off reliever, T.J. McFarland. Pinch hitter Ty France singled to drive in Espinal. Amed Rosario singled in front of a three-run home run by Will Benson his 13th of the season.

"After Will Benson, I'm going to be honest with you here. After Will Benson hit the homer, I yelled hard and I think I passed out in the trainers room. The trainers picked me up," Cruz sai

The A's immediately retaliated  against Emilio Pagan. JJ Bleday singled. Shea Langeliers hit a ground rule double. Brown hit his second home run of the game and 12th of the season his fifth multi-home run game. The A's weren't done. Gelof singled. He went to third on a hit-and-run single by Schuemann. Wilson hit a sacrifice fly to restablish a three-run lead.

"I made a really bad pitch to a good fastball hitter and he made me pay for it. I threw maybe 18 pitches, I think 16 of them were really, really good but I made a bad pitch to Seth Brown and he's a really good fastball hitter,"  Pagan said. "We can make all the excuses we want but we just haven't executed at a high enough rate."

"They (A's) did their job," David Bell said. "It was a tough swing when we took the lead. Their offense was able to turn it around against us. Emilio has been throwing the ball really well."

All-star rookie Mason Miller allowed two base runners in the ninth but struck out Rosario and Benson to earn his 23rd save.

Home Runs Send A's To A Win.

 

 

Max Schuemann and Lawrence Butler belted two-run home runs in the seventh inning with two outs to propel the Oakland A's to a 5-4 win over the reeling Reds.

The Reds have dropped four of their last five games, falling six games below .500.  American League teams have beaten the Reds nine straight times at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds broke the ice in the fourth inning. Ty France hit a bloop single to right following walks to Tyler Stephenson and Spencer Steer. 

Jakob Junis was the emergency starter pitched four perfect innings with three strikeouts. The Reds are hurting in the starting pitcher department. Graham Ashcraft will not make it back this season. Hunter Greene has a contusion in his right elbow. Andrew Ashcraft was placed on the injured list with discomfort in his left shoulder.  The Reds placed Nick Lodolo on the injured list with a blister on his left index finger. 

"Nick is still working with Sean a little bit," David Bell said.. "I do think there is a scenario where he is splinted up for a couple weeks. He could get better before that. It is a rare, concerning, not concerning long term, but its a rare injury that could keep him out the rest of the year."

Junis who has started in his career was efficient and saved the bullpen innings.

"Jakob just threw a ton of strikes. We didn't know far he could go to be able to get those four innings, set us up to give us a chance to win.," David Bell said.

Tyler Stephenson extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the sixth. Espinal extended his streak to nine with a third inning single. Spencer Steer made it nine in a row for him.

Buck Farmer took over for Junis and allowed the first base runner a walk to Seth Brown.

The A's starter rookie Mitch Spence pitched six innings and allowed one run on five hits and three walks. He struck out three.

The Reds used three pitchers to navigate the top of the sixth. Max Schuemann broke the combined no-hitter with a leadoff double. Farmer struck out Jacob Wilson. David Bell brought in Sam Moll, who retired Lawrence Butler on a ground out. Bell ordered Brent Rooker, who has 30 home runs to face left handed, JJ Bleday. Moll walked Bleday to ruin the strategy. Tony Santillan struck out Shea Langeliers to end the threat.

Schuemann hit a two-run home run his seventh off Tony Santillan to give the A's the lead. He also singled in the game. Lawrence Butler followed Jacob Wilson's single with the second two-run home run of the inning. It was his 15th of the season. It came off Justin Wilson.

Casey Legumina struck out two batters to start the eighth but Zack Gelof hit his 16th home run of the season to put the Reds down 5-1.

The Reds scored a run in the eighth off Tyler Ferguson. Stephenson singled for his second hit of the game, leading off the bottom of the eighth. One out later Steer drew his third walk of the game. Ty France put Butler against the wall for the second out. Ferguson walked Dominic Smith and Espinal to force in the Reds' second run;

The Reds faced rookie sensation, Mason Miller in the ninth. Miller was the winning pitcher in the All-Star game in July.  With one out Elly De La Cruz singled. He went to third on Stephenson's third hit of the game. TJ Friedl grounded out as De La Cruz scored. Steer hit a bloop single to send Stephenson to third. France doubled to make it a one-run game and put the tying run on third but Miller struck out pinch hitter Amed Rosario to earn his 22nd save in 24 chances.

"We were down and not able to score early. Late off a good backend of the bullpen, our guys did a nice job of battling back. We just came up a little short," Bell said.

Dairon Blanco Belts Two Home Runs To Rip Reds

 

 

Dairon Blanco hit a single, two home runs, including his first career grand slam to rout the Reds as the Kansas City Royals scored early and often in a 13-1 win. Blanco drove in seven runs. He had five on the season coming in.

The Royals jumped on Nick Lodolo (9-5) for eight runs in the first three innings.

"I got hit," Lodolo said. "There's no question I wasn't sharp but I don't have to be sharp to be successful. I have to find a way to get back on track. We're in a position to stay in the hunt. I didn't let us do that tonight. I got to be that guy to go out there and win the game. I know I can do that."

Maikel Garcia singled to open the game. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled to the gap in right center with Garcia stopping at third. Salvatore Perez hit a sacrifice fly to left field. 

In the second inning.Freddy Fermin doubled, leading off. Two outs later Dairon Blanco hit a home run off the top of the center field fence. 

Vinniie Pasquantino and Perez singled to open the third. Lodolo walked Hunter Renfroe and Fermin to force in a run. Paul DeJong singled for the fifth run. Buck Farmer came in and surrendered a grand slam home run to Blanco, his second of the game.  Witt walked and scored on Pasquantino's second hit of the inning, a double.

The Royals sent 12 batters to the plate to score seven runs.

Blanco singled in a run in the fourth and Garcia hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Royals' starter Michael Wacha (10-6) gave up a single to Jonathan Inidia to start the game but Elly De La Cruz lined out to Renfroe in right, who doubled up India at first. He then retired the next seven in a row.

Two errors by De La Cruz allowed the 13th run to score in the fifth.

Wacha pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts.

Angel Zerpa entered in the seventh. Jeimer Candelario broke the shutout with his 20th home run of the season.

"Tonight the Royals beat us in every way. It's one game. We have too much to play for," David Bell said.

Bobby Witt Jr. Leads Royals Over Reds

 

 

Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits, including a home run, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 7-1 win over the Reds. The Reds four-game winning streak was snapped.

Witt Jr. now has 53 multi-hit games. His home run and double increased his extra-base hit total to 70. 34 doubles and 11 triples with 25 home run.

Kansas City lost two of three to the Minnesota Twins coming into the game.

Nick Martinez (6-6) retired the first 10 Kansas City batters but Bobby Witt Jr. crushed his 25th home run of the season into the upper deck in left field to start the scoring.

Martinez had a string of 15 scoreless innings snapped with Witt's homer.

"Martinez was very similar to his start in Milwaukee," David Bell said. "He had a good fastball, change up. He changed speeds well. He is kind on settling in to the role as a starter. He didn't go quite as long today which could help him. He continues to pitch really well."

Former Red Michael Lorenzen (6-6) started for the Royals. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks.

"Michael Lorenzen pitched a good game against," Bell said. "He didn't give us a whole lot to hit. We know how good he can be."

The Royals scored two runs in the sixth. Witt Jr. started the inning with a double. Vinnie Pasquantino singled with Witt stopping at third. Salvador Perez hit a ball in the hole at shortstop. Elly De La Cruz throw was in the dirt and Jonathan India couldn't come up with the ball as Witt scored. Adam Frazier singled to score Pasquantino.

"I tip my hat to a couple of those guys," Martinez said. "I could have made a better pitch (Adam) Frazier in the (sixth inning). It was down but in the middle and they scored the extra run. I could have held them a little closer.  It is a good lineup."

The Reds had just India's game opening double coming into the bottom of the sixth. 

India walked with one out. It was the third time he reached base in the game. Tyler Stephenson hit an RBI double on his 28th birthday. Lorenzen left the game, turning the lead over to Kris Bubic. He struck ot TJ Friedl to end the inning. 

The Royals scored four runs in the ninth against Fernando Cruz. Adam Frazier singled. Dairon Blanco ran for him. Blanco scored on a double by Freddy Fermin. The Reds walked Witt Jr. intentionally but Pasquantino spoiled the strategy with his 18th home run.

Jonathan India Breaks Slump To Slap The Cardinals Beak With Two Home Runs TJ Friedl Hits Two Home Runs

 

 

Jonathan India and TJ Friedl hit four of the Reds' four home runs as they swept the Cardinals with a 9-2 win.

It forged a tie with the Cardinals for second place in the National League Central with 60-61 records.

It was the first time since June 2017 the Reds swept the Cardinals in Great American Ball Park. The Reds swept a four-game series in 2021 at Busch Stadium.

On the 51st anniversary of Bob Gibson's only career no-hitter another Gibson starts for the Cardinals. Kyle Gibson beat the Reds on May 28, a 7-1 decison.

Emilio Pagan made his first start for the Reds and second of his Major League career. He last started on September 23 last year for Minnesota against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Gibson (7-5) retired the first seven Reds' batters. Will Benson walked. Noelvi Marte singled. India broke an 0-for-23 slump with his 10th home run of the season, putting the Reds up 3-0. Tyler Stephenson added his 15th home run, reaching the seats in right.

Sam Moll (3-1) struck out two in his scoreless inning and turned the ball over to Carson Spiers.

India led off the bottom of the fifth with his 11th home run to straight away center. It was the fourth two-home run game of his career. 

TJ Friedl hit his eighth home run to put the Reds up 6-0. "I didn't try to do it. I don't remember what I did on my other birthdays but I will remember this one<" Friedl said. "I had my family with me today and coming out to the field. It is stuff you dream of as a kid. It's awesome."

"We're clicking at the right time and it's one through nine," Friedl said. "The pitching is doing well like it's done all season."

Steer singled with two outs and went to second when left fielder Tommy Pham kicked the ball. Jeimer Candelario reached on an error by Brendan Donovan. Steer went to third. He scored on an infield single by Jake Fraley.

The first four Cardinals batters reached in the sixth inning. Masyn Winn doubled, Alec Burleson, Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado singled to plate two runs. Spiers struck out Donovan and Paul Goldschmidt. Justin Wilson was brought in to face Lars Nootbar but Jordan Walker pinch hit and stranded two runners with a pop up to Steer at first.

The Cardinals scored four runs in the series. The Reds hit 10 home runs the Cardinals hit one.

"They took some really good swings and hit the ball hard<" Cardinal manager Oliver Marmol said. "We didn't. What it comes down to is they hit the ball hard, 10 home runs to one in the series. They out slugged us. It was more than enough." 

Friedl's ninth home run led off the seventh. It was at the expense of Kyle Leahy. Friedl hit two home runs on his 29th birthday. Barry Larkin did in 1994. Elly De La Cruz doubled home Noelvi Marte, who had two hits in the game.

Justin Wilson, Buck Farmer and Fernando Cruz pitched scoreless innings. 

Hunter Greene Clips Cardinals' Wings. Tyler France and Jeimer Candelario Homer

 

 

Hunter Greene pitched his seventh game in the last eight in which he allowed one run or fewer. The Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 to insure a series win.

The Reds moved within one game of the Cardinals in the standings.

The Reds scored with two outs in the first inning off Erick Fedde. Tyler Stephenson singled with two outs. TJ Friedl worked and walk. Last night's hero Spencer Steer looped a 3-2 pitch to center to score Stephenson. It was the 75th RBI for Steer.

Ty France hit his 11th home run of the season in the second to inch the Reds lead up a run.

Greene (9-4) gave up a double to Willson Contreas in the first inning, then retired 12 batters in a row until he walked Lars Nootbar. Victor Scott II doubled to open the sixth but Greene struck out Alec Burleson and Contreras to strand Scott at third base. 

Friedl singled and beat out a potential double play at second. Jeimer Candelario followed with his 19th home run to double the lead to 4-0.

Fedde (8-6) pitched six innings, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two.

"The one to France was not a great pitch," Fedde said.. "The one to Candelario, I kept having at bats with him with men on base. I was using my best stuff to get him out. There were seven or eight cutter he saw. He made a good adjustment to it and hit that pitch."

Nolan Arendo broke the shutout with his 12th home run of the season, leading off the seventh. 

Greene pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk. He struck out eight.

"Greene has power stuff man," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said.. "You got to beat the tough guys. Over this last stretch he's done a nice job. Righties, lefties there hasn't been a lot of production against him."

The Cardinals have been held to one run the last two nights.

"We just have to own it (when we don't score enough runs)," Marmol said. "No one will feel sorry for us. We haven't come through in certain situations. You have to grind out at bats. Moving forward we have to be better. Greene is not a guy you get right against."

It is the seventh game in eight in which Greene allowed one run or fewer. He dropped his ERA to 2.83.

Tony Santillan pitched a perfect eighth.

Alexis Diaz entered to face the heart of  the Cardinals order looking for his 17th straight save and 24 in 26 attemprs. He accomplished both with a scoreless ninth inning

 

Spencer Steer Guides The Reds To A Win Over St. Louis

 

Spencer Steer hit two home runs, driving in five runs against former Reds' pitcher Sonny Gray to lead the Reds to a 6-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Steer was batting leadoff for just the fifth time in his career and third time this season and made a rare start at second base.

"It is fun to move around," Steer said. "Batting leadoff is great. It's a great opportunity to get that first at bat for the team and set the tone. That's they way I look at it at least. It's a tone setter for the rest of the game."

Reds' starter Andrew Abbott got the first two outs in the third inning but Willson Conreras singled, Tommy Pham walked and Nolan Arenado singled through the hole at shortstop to score Contreras. Paul Goldschmidt, who double in the second inning, hit a ground ball up the middle. Steer, making his first start at second base, made a diving stop but couldn't get an out as the Cardinals loaded the bases but Abbott struck out Brendan Donovan to end the inning.

In the second inning with the bases loaded and one out, Steer started and inning ending double play 

"The double play kept the pitch count down. I've said all along that when you have a good game, a lot is going right behind you," Abbott said.

The Reds snagged the lead against Gray in the bottom of the third. Jake Fraley walked to open the inning with a walk. He stole second for the 15th time. Gray struck out Noelvi Marte and Will Benson. Steer hit his 17th home run to put the Reds up by a run. Elly De La Cruz crushed the next pitch by Gray and slammed his 21st home run for a 3-1 lead.

Steer has been frustrated most of the year being in and out of slumps and hitting only .237 but he now is tied for second on the team in home runs and leads the team with 74 RBI. He is now tied with Kyle Schwarber for seventh in the league with that total.

"It's been a frustrating year to be honest with you. I pride myself on being consistent. I feel that I haven't done that to the best of my ability," Steer said.

"It started first with a nice defensive game, starting with the double play.in that situation,.David Bell said. "Leading off  kind of just put him out there. He just wants to play baseball and he came up with a big game. He's just a good baseball player."

The Reds doubled the lead in the fifth inning. Fraley singled and stole second, Benson walked and Steer hammered his second home run of the game and 18th of the season to put the Reds up 6-1.

Gray (11-7) pitched five innings and tied his season high with six runs allowed. He allowed five hits and two walks. Gray struck out nine batters.

Abbott (10-9) became the Reds' first 10-game winner by snapping a personal three-game losing streak. He pitched 6 2/3 and missed completing seven innings when De :La Cruz made a throwing error to extend the inning. Abbott retired 11 of the last 13 batters he faced, allowing one run on five hits and two walks. He struck out six.

Abbott came off a game in which he allowed six earned runs to the Marlins in a 6-4 loss.

"That was frustrating," said Abbott who got his mind right against the Cardinals. "I was able to execute. I was spinning the ball and getting first pitch strikes. It was all mental between this start and last start. I took a step back. I was talking about perspective with DJ and honing it all in with the bullpen mid week. I went out there with a plan and tried to execute the best way you can."

Jakob Junis completed the game in relief for the Reds.

Tyler Stephenson And Hunter Greene Cut Giants To Size

 

Tyler Stephenson hit two of Cincinnati’s four home runs to lead the Reds to a 6-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night, one day after they were no-hit by Blake Snell.

Hunter Greene (8-4) stretched his scoreless streak to 21 with six innings of one-hit ball. He has now gone six consecutive starts within a single season allowing one or zero runs, matching the team record set by Johnny Vander Meer in 1938. Vander Meer pitched back-to-back no-hit games that season.

“It was a super fun game to watch,” Greene said. “I was trying to stay present and locked in so I could do my job. I was sitting there as a fan, like wow.”

Greene is trying to stay in the present but he is starting to make history during his starts even when he doesn’t have his best stuff.

“This game is super humbling,” Greene said. “I haven’t really stepped back and leaned into what this stretch means. I actually take more pride in those starts when I’m not feeling my best, or the fastball isn’t exploding like it did tonight. It’s not a good feeling but you have to lock it in. If you can find a way to use it.

“Hopefully, I could throw two like (Vander Meer) did. That would be fantastic,” Greene said. “That’s cool to know.”

Greene struck out a season-high 11 and lowered his ERA to 2.83. He allowed a single to Michael Conforto in the fourth, hit a batter and walked one. 

Stephenson got the Reds’ first hit since Wednesday with his 12th home run of the season in the second inning. He added a three-run blast to straightaway center in the fourth inning for his second multi-homer game in 22 days. His first was against the Colorado Rockies on July 11.

Stephenson and his wife had a daughter on June 16. He thinks it helped his focus.

“The key is having a daughter,” Stephenson said. “I didn’t think it was a thing but maybe it is. I’ve been aggressive and trying to get pitches to hit and try to get the ball in the air.”

Jonathan India hit his ninth home run of the season into the upper deck in left field in the third frame and Stuart Fairchild lined his seventh off the foul pole in left in the fourth.

Kyle Harrison (6-5) allowed the first runs by a Giant pitcher in two games. He left after 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits. Harrison averaged 91 mph with his fastball, 1.7 mph below his season average.

“We were off to a good start since the All-Star break. So we’ll take it,” San Francisco manager Bob Melvin said before the game. “How many complete games have there been in the last few years? That is hard to replicate.”

Matt Chapman scored on a misplayed double and throwing error by Elly De La Cruz. Conforto hit his 11th home run of the season off Justin Wilson. Jerar Encarnacion also homered for San Francisco.

Alexis Díaz earned his 22nd save in 24 chances but gave up Chapman’s 16th home run.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: Emilio Pagán went on a three-outing rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

UP NEXT 

Carson Spiers (4-2, 3.36 ERA) will pitch against Robbie Ray (1-1, 4.82), who is scheduled for his third start of the season.

Blake Snell No-Hits Reds

 

Blake Snell pitched a no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants in a 3-0 win to open the three-game weekend series.

Snell pitched the 18th no-hitter in Giants franchise history. The last was thrown by Chris Heston at the New York Mets on June 9, 2015, a 5-0 Giants win.

The Reds were no-hit last by Mike Fiers at Oakland on May 7, 2019 in a 2-0 game.

Snell was the Cy Young award winner in 2018 with Tampa Bay. He was 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA in 31 starts. Snell is the reigning Cy Young award winner, having won it last season off a 14-9 season with a 2.25 ERA in 32 starts.

Nick Martinez of the Reds was his teammate.

"I don't think it will be his only one. He was commanding the ball very well. It seemed like he didn't miss a spot all night. He has some electric stuff. When he's in the zone and locating his off speed pitch, he is very difficult to hit," Martinez said.  "Last year he had one into the seventh inning. I just remember a lot of punch outs. We talked about, when he went on a run, like in '22, he got a breaking ball for a strike, whether you swung or didn't swing, if in that at bat there was a breaking ball strike, you were striking out close to 100 percent of the time. He did that for months. He won a Cy Young in both leagues. He is beyond exceptional."

Reds' catcher Luke Maile played with Snell in the Tampa Bay organization. Snell was the Rays first draft pick in 2011 out of Shorewood High School in Seattle. Maile was picked by the Rays in the eighth round in 2012 out of the University of Kentucky,

"I played with him every year in the minors," Maile said.

Maile noticed the evolution of Snell being a prospect, turning into the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

"It was a time in my career, him and I were both trying to get to the big leagues," Maile said. "We were with the team that drafted us. Everything comes full circle. You remember a guy who had great stuff. You remember him using that type of sequence. What makes the big leagues cool is you can see how much sharper its gotten. You can see why all the work a guy like that has put in. You can see it manifest right in front of your eyes. You only see him once a year."

Only one ball was hit hard. Jeimer Candelario hit a line drive in the fifth inning with Tyler Stephenson on first base with a walk. Casey Schmidt caught the line drive and with a quick throw doubled Stephenson off first on a play close enough for the Reds to challenge. The call held up.

"You had the double play, that he got the line drive," Maile said. "That changed everything. Jeimer hit that ball hard but he got the out. It changed the entire nature of the game. I guess every great pitching performance you have a play or two that get you through it. He got that tonight."

The Giants got to Reds' sta rter Andrew Abbott with two outs in the second inning. Casey Schmitt hit his fourth home run of the season into the uppr deck in left field. It was the 21st home run allowed by Abbott this season. Marco Luciano followed with a single and cruised home on a double by Tyler Fitzgerald.

The Reds were trying to score against the Giant's left-hander, Snell.  Snell allowed just two runs in four starts in July on just eight hits. 

Fitzgerald hit his 10th home run in the seventh. It came against Nick Martinez.

Snell walked three three, but struck out 11. It was the first time in his career. He retired Elly De La Cruz on a fly out to center field on his 114th hit, 78 for strikes.

Maile and Martinez agreed they didn't like that it happened to the Reds but couldn't help but be happy for Snell.

"You don't want to be on the wrong side of it but good for him.  Congratulations to him on that. I'm not surprised. He has incredible stuff," Martinez said.

"He's the same guy. It's all the same stuff that I remember. It is just so much sharper. Just coming up with him and seeing what a top prospect he was and just seeing him make it so to speak. I don't like it when he does it to us, obviously. There is a part of this game where you have relationships with guys. Just because you're wearing different uniforms it doesn't mean you're not happy for him.," Maile said. "He had such a special arsenal that's unique to him. He's always had that durability even at a young age. He was just as strong in the sixth or seventh."