Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico
Nick Lodolo pitched six strong innings to throttle the San Francisco Giants in a 3-2 win. It was the first win for Terry Francona as the Reds' manager.
The Reds infield turned three double plays to allow Lodolo to walk off with the victory, his first since August 6th of last season.
Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand belted home runs to provide the offensive punch.
Wilmer Flores hit his second home run in as many days, this time off Lodolo with one out and the bases empty in the second inning.
“He (Lodolo) made some pretty good pitches. The home run Flores hit wasn’t a bad pitch,” Francona said. “We played pretty good defense. The double plays helped with the efficiency. He got aggressive in the zone. The last three innings.”
The Giants scored again in the third inning. Heliot Ramos doubled into the left field corner to open the inning and scored on a single by Jung Hoo Lee.
“My command was nowhere to be found in the first three innings,” Lodolo said. “I got my legs under me as the game kept going. It’s not the typical way, I’d want to pitch. I wanted to get out any way I could.”
McLain reached future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander with the Reds’ first home run of the season. It was McLain’s 17th career home run and first since August 26th 2023. It was the 356th home run that Verlander allowed in his 20-year career.
He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s a great pitcher so it’s a good feeling,” McLain said.
The Reds tied the game with two outs in the fifth. McLain doubled and Elly De La Cruz drilled a line drive through the right side of the infield to score McLain.
Lodolo retired nine batters in a row, thanks to a diving stop by McLain. Matt Chapman broke the streak with a single to right. De La Cruz and McLain pulled off a nifty double play to end the sixth.
“That ball was almost to third base. He (De La Cruz) made a sick play. The feed was good so I had to turn it,” McLain said.
“I think Elly is thrilled that McLain is back,” Francona said. “They are strong up the middle. It’s fun to watch.”
Encarnacion-Strand belted his first home run of the season down the right field line against Spencer Bivens to give the Reds a lead.
Lodolo pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out one.
Tony Santillan and Graham Armstrong turned in two scoreless innings both aided by a double play, the Reds’ third in as many innings.
Emilio Pagan came in to try to nail it down for the Reds first win of the season. He earned his first save since September 10, 2024 at St. Louis.
“When we play defense the way we did the first two games, I like our chances,” Pagan said.
Pagan presented the ball to Francona after the game.
“(Jose) Trevino actually told me after I got the ball from McLain, ‘ I think you should give it to Tito. It made sense,” Pagan said.
“It has meaning. I will put it in my office,” Francona said.
Trainers Room:
Andrew Abbott pitched five innings in Arizona on March 27 in a minor league game. He got up to 74 pitches in his outing.
Carson Spiers was also scheduled to pitch in advance of his first start on April 1 against the Texas Rangers.
According to manager Terry Francona, Rhett Lowder and Wade Miley are progressing through their throwing program.
“Lowder is doing good. He’s (throwing) off the mound.” Francona said. “Miley is going to throw two innings to live
hitters, I think tomorrow (March 30).”
Tyler Stephenson had a cat scan on Wednesday (March 26). He will have an MRI on April 7 and will not go on the road trip to Milwaukee and San Francisco.
“We’re trying to make sure before we give him more to do,” Francona. “He’s made a vast improvement.”
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