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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico
Nick Lodolo had a great start spoiled with a groin strain but the bullpen and defense finished off the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 2-1 win that keeps the Reds in the running for the final Wild Card entry to the playoffs.
The Reds were clinging to a 2-1 lead with Emilio Pagan on the mound. He had saves in 29 saves in 35 chances and a home run saving catch by Noelvi Marte allowed the anointed closer to extend his career high with 30 saves.
Nick Gonzales flied out routinely to right to start the ninth. Pagan fell behind Bryan Reynolds 3-0 before the Pirates' right fielder launched a pitch toward the right field stands. Marte timed his jump and made the catch to preserve the lead with the second out.
"Under the circumstances, that was one of the best plays, I've ever seen," said Francona a veteran of 46 seasons. "You take the time of the game, the time of the season, how high he got up. After Marte the guy I thought of was Colin Cowgill because he's worked so diligently with him the last three months."
Marte was playing in his 51st game in the outfield after making it to the Major Leagues as a third baseman. He played an unspectacular 38 games at third base before moving to right field.
"It has freed him (Marte) up which is good," Francona said. "It allowed us to get (Ke'Bryan) Hayes at third. So we have a gold glover at third and we have a guy, who is good and we think is going to be really good in right."
Veteran Red killer Andrew McCutchen lined the next pitch into the right field corner. Marte caught it too.
"I've never had this feeling before," said Marte of robbing a home run. "I saw McCutchen's and I thought, again? But I got it. I feel happy about myself. With all the work, I've put in to see results, it feels great."
From Pagan's perspective on the mound. He didn't think Reynolds ball was not going to go out.
"I'll be honest with you, when he hit it, I thought it was too high," Pagan admitted. "I started watching Noelvi and when he didn't stop going, I thought 'oh no'," Pagan said. "Then he makes an Odell Beckham Jr. catch and saves the day. I didn't think he could get up that high. His glove was in the second row. From my point of view it was pretty awesome. McCutchen hit what I thought was a really good pitch, down and away. I threw him a bunch of breaking balls yesterday. I thought if I stuck one down and away, I might get a free strike but he was ready for it and he hit it well."
The Reds broke through in the fifth inning against Braxton Ashcraft. Ke'Bryan Hayes, who broke a career-high 0-for25 slump in the third inning, singled again with an infield hit to open the bottom of the fifth. TJ Friedl doubled. Hayes was ruled safe on a relay from Alexander Canario in center field to Nick Yorke to Joey Bart the catcher. The Pirates challenged and the call was overturned. Marte singled Friedl home and Gavin Lux chased Ashcraft with an RBI single.
Kyle Nicolas took over for Pittsburgh. Spencer Steer flied out to deep center. Elly De La Cruz struck out swinging.
Nick Lodolo tied his career-high with 12 strikeouts. He struck out 12 Philadelphia Phillies on April 8, 2023. He threw ball one to Tommy Pham. Catcher Jose Trevino ran to the mound, noticing some pain for Lodolo. Manager Terry Francona took Lodolo out in favor of Graham Ashcraft with one out and no one on in the seventh inning.
Lodolo has a history of leg injuries. "I think he's going to be OK," Francona said. "We were talking to (Dr.) Kremchek. We think he is going to be OK."
"I felt some grabbing in my groin. It was getting progressively worse," Lodolo said. "I felt it in warmups for the inning and it was getting worse. I fell good right now. I was looking to spin the ball like that for quite awhile."
He reached career highs with 28 starts, in spite of missing time with a blister. Lodolo finished the season with 154 2/3 innings, also a career high. The 28-year old lefty finished with a career-low 3.30 ERA
Ashcraft finished the scoreless seventh inning.
Tony Santillan came on in the eighth for his Major League leading 79th appearance. Pinch hitter Spencer Howitz doubled to open the inning. The Reds conceded the run with two ground outs. Santillan finished the inning by striking out Jared Triolo.
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