Boston Red Sox Squeak By Reds In A Tight Pitching Duel To Open The Season

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Dateline: Cincinnati

A pair of All-Star left handers showed why they were all-stars by putting on a pitching clinic under perfect weather conditions at Great American Ball Park on Opening Day between the Reds and Boston Red Sox. The result was a 3-0 win by the visitors.

Garrett Crochet pitched in his unprecedented third consecutive season opener. He is the first pitcher since 1901 to start an opening day game in his first three seasons as a starting pitcher. 

"He threw the ball

Andrew Abbott in his first opening day start, scattered seven singles in six innings of scoreless baseball. Abbott gave up two singles and a walk in the first inning but Trevor Story bounced into a double play. The Red Sox had two hits in the second inning but another double play allowed his escape. Abbott retired seven batters in a row before Ceddane Rafaella beat out a slow roller to second base. Rafaela got a favorable call from CB Bucknor but the Reds did not challenge. 

Roman Anthony's third single of the game bounced up and scored a direct hit on rookie Sal Stewart's forearm. Stewart was in pain but stayed in the game. "Roman smoked that ball. As soon as it hit me my arm went numb," Stewart said. "Sean (trainer McQueeny) came over. I asked, 'Is it broken', he said it doesn't feel like it. I said I'm not going out. I'm playing."

"I think he thought it was broken, the way he reacted. He is going to be sore. That was a bullet," Francona said of the ball that hit Stewart. "I think we dodged a big bullet. He's going to get looked at by the docs. He was looked at during the game. He's young and a pretty tough kid."

Abbott struck out Story and Jarren Duran to get out of trouble. He pitched a 1-2-3 sixth and left with six innings of scoreless baseball. He walked one and struck out four.

"The mentality talk with DJ and Tito, kind of  reshifting and refocusing in areas," Abbott said "Frustrating and doubts are two different things. I was frustrated with the results after I gave up eight runs in Arizona. The last week of spring training. I never doubted my abilities. They are what got me here. It is just going out to compete."

"It is a long season as we know. This was one of 162," Abbott said. "We, the fans and us is going to see each other a lot. I struggled with spin early on but the conviction was there."

The Reds went into the sixth inning with just a double by Stewart against Crocher but they put him on the ropes. Matt McLain walked with one out. Elly De La Cruz and Stewart singled to load the bases. Crochet escaped by striking out Eugenio Suarez and Spencer Steer.

"He made a good pitch," Suarez said. "He had good stuff today."

The Red Sox broke through against the Reds' bullpen in the seventh. Pierce Johnson relieved Abbott, who threw 83 pitches. Pinch hitter, Marcelo Mayer doubled to the left center field gap to open the inning. Carlos Narvaez bunted Mayer to second. Rafaels singled to plate the first run of the season. Sam Moll retired Anthony and Story to send the game to the bottom of the seventh with a 1-0 score.

Justin Slaten walked Tyler Stephenson, who got two called strikes overturned by challenges of Dan Iassogna's calls. Slaten protected the lead by striking out pinch hitter Will Benson and TJ Friedl sandwiching Ke'Bryan Hayes line out to left. 

Moll got an out in the eighth, then was replaced by Graham Ashcraft who completed the inning.

Garrett Whitlock gave up a two-out double to Stewart, his third hit but struck out Suarez, the third strikeout by the Reds' hitter.

The ABS system came into play in the top of the ninth. Connor Phillips allowed a single to Mayer to open the inning but with two outs on a 3-2 pitch, Anthony challenged Iassogna's 3-2.  called third strike. Instead of ending the inning. It gave Story and Duran a chance to hit RBI singles. One off Phillips and one off Brock Burke.

Aroldis Chapman, the former Reds' closer, entered for Boston. Three fly outs ended the game. 

Andrew Abbott And Garret Crochet LHP Start The 2026 Season With Strong Lineups Behind Them

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Andrew Abbott makes his first ever Opening Day start against the Boston Red Sox. His mound opponent is LHP Garrett Crochet.

Crochet is making his third straight opening day start. He was 18-5 last season with a 2.59 ERA. He was an All-Star and finished secon in the American League Cy Young Award voting. He pitched against the Reds in five games, two starts. He is 1-1 with a 6.92 ERA against Cincinnati.

The game pits two managers that know each other very well. In his 13-year Major League career, Alex Cora, of the Red Sox played for Reds' manager, Terry Francona in 2005-2008 and was a member of the 2007 World Champion Red Sox.

Abbott was 10-7 last season with a 2.87 ERA. He made the All-Star team for the National League and received votes for the National League Cy Young Award. He is 1-0 in his career against Boston, facing them for the only time on June 21, 2024, a 5-2 Reds' win. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out 10 Red Sox hitters.

Cora sends this lineup against Andrew Abbott:

Roman Anthony LF

Trevor Story SS

Jarren Duran DH

Willson Contreras 1B

Caleb Durbin 3B

Wilyer Abreu RF

Isiah Kiner-Falefa 2B

Carlos Narvaez C

Ceddane Rafaela CF

Garrett Crochet LHP

Crochet will face this lineup:

TJ Friedl CF

Matt McLain 2B

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart 1B

Eugenio Suarez DH

Spencer Steer LF

Tyler Stephenson C

Noelvi Marte RF

Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B

Andrew Abbott LHP

Nick Lodolo Replaced By Jose Franco On Opening Day Roster

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Nick Lodolo was placed on the 10-day injured list with a blister on his left index finger. The Reds promoted Jose Franco a 25-year old right handed pitcher from Maracay, Venezuela, who will make his big league debut, if and when he pitches in a game.

Lodolo has missed time the last two season with a similar blister. The Reds don't want to take the chance that he hurts something else to compensate or the finger caused him to be innefective.

Franco pitched in two Cactus League games with 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out eight.

The Reds start the season with two left handers on the injured list. Reliever Caleb Ferguson is out with a strained right oblique.

Nick Lodolo Blistered In Final Tune Up With The Cleveland Guardians Leaves After Two Batters

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Nick Lodolo left the game after two batters and a 1-1 count on the third on Jose Ramirez. He had a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo was on the injured list last year and in 2024 with a blister. He threw 10 pitches.

Lodolo walked leadoff hitter, Steven Kwan. Angel Martinez followed with a home run.

"He had a blister. They popped it over in the training room and drained some of it," Terry Francona said after the game. "We're going to have to take the next couple days because of his history. We will just have to see. There is obviously some apprehension, so we will just have to see."

"We don't want to lose anybody but if we do, nobody is going to feel sorry for us," Francona said. "We'll figure it out. I always feel like that, we'll figure it out. Williamson needs to pitch here Wednesday. With the off day we could move other guys up, probably not him."

They want Williamson to stay on a schedule since he hasn't pitched in a big league game in 15 months. Brady Singer is expected to start on Monday in Milwaukee, that would give him full compliment of four days rest and he would be available to fill in for Lodolo's scheduled start on Saturday the 28th against Boston. Chase Burns is set to pitch on Tuesday in Milwaukee. Lowder is in the same situation as Williamson, having missed all of last season. He last pitched on March 14 in Cactus League play.

Griffin Green, not to be confused with Hunter Greene, came into the game. Green was signed as an undrafted free agent on August 7, 2025. This is his first pro season. He attended Wake Forest University, the same college that Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns attended as pitchers.

Green allowed singles to Jose Ramirez, the first batter he faced, and Bo Naylor and a walk to Case DeLauter.

Noelvi Marte hit his fourth spring home run off Gavin Williams in the second inning.

The Guardians scored two more off Green in the second inning. He walked Brayan Rocchio and Kwan to start the inning. two out singles by Rhys Hoskins and DeLauter drove in the runs.

Minor leaguer Brady Afthim took over in the third inning. Afthim is in his first professional season. He is 23-years old from Boston, Massachusetts and pitched at the University of Connecticut. The Reds drafted him in the 13th round in the 2025 draft.

Kyle Manzado hit his third home run of the Cactus League against Afthim.

Graham Ashcraft entered the game in the fourth inning. He allowed a run on one hit and a walk, striking out one.

Connor Phillips pitched a scoreless fifth inning with a strikeout. 

Luis Mey allowed an unearned run. Mey will start the season in Louisville. Minor league pitchers Stephen Quigley and Kyle McCoy pitched scoreless innings.

 

Nick Lodolo Last Start Before The Season

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Nick Lodolo is working off the mound for the fifth time this spring and second in a row against the Cleveland Guardians in a 12:05 MT start (3:05 ET).

On St. Patrick's Day Lodolo pitched 4 2/3 innings against Cleveland, allowing three runs, two earned on three hits and a walk. He struck out seven to bring his total to 18 in 13 2/3 innings. In that span he walked only three batters. He struggled in four innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 12, giving up six runs on three hits but he did not walk a batter.

Lodolo is slated to start game 2 of the opening Boston Red Sox series on Saturday, March 28.

The lineup behind Lodolo is:

Will Benson LF

Spencer Steer 2B

Sal Stewart DH

Nathaniel Lowe 1B

Tyler Stephenson C

Noelvi Marte RF

Dane Myers CF

PJ Higgins 3B

Garrett Hampson SS

The Reds travel to Milwaukee for two more exhibition games before opening the season against the Red Sox on Thursday March 26.

Terry Francona has decided to hit Stewart, who is DH today in the cleanup spot between Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz at least for now.

Following Lodolo on the mound will be Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips pitching in back-to-back games.

Phillips gave up three runs in 2/3 an inning in his first Cactus League game. He has four runs in 8 1/3 innings since. Ashcraft has pitched in seven games, covering 6 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out eight. His last three games have been scoreless with one hit and no walks and four strikeouts. 

Rookie Set To Bat Cleanup

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Sal Stewart doesn't know he's a rookie according to manager Terry Francona.

Like a rookie from Francona's past, Dustin Pedroia of the 2007 World Championship Boston Red Sox, Stewart has an abundance of confidence. He is not arrogant, he just believes in his abilities.

Francona trusts him enough to bat him cleanup behind Elly De La Cruz to start the season with Eugenio Suarez behind Stewart. That has been the lineup since Suarez returned from the World Baseball Classic.

"I reserve the right to draw a lineup up that day," Francona cautioned. "I may change my mind on the plane but the reason that we're doing it is we think it gives Geno (Eugenio Suarez) a chance to drive in more runs. I think with Elly hitting third, when we separate things with strikeouts, but we also have a guy that can trail Elly. Geno can cleanup some of the mess there. That's the idea. Me and Freddie (Benavides) and Nap (Mike Napoli) have talked through that a lot. It gives us a chance to be more productive for us. It is not an indictment on Geno."

One of the emphasis this spring has been to approve base running. Stewart as an example, in the game against the Chicago White Sox, Stewart ended up on third base when De La Cruz was caught in a rundown between third and home.

De La Cruz had just tripled with no outs. Stewart hit a one hop back to the pitcher. Stewart ran hard to first as De La Cruz broke toward home. Pitcher Sean Newcome put De La Cruz in a pickle. Stewart didn't just stroll to second. He ran hard to third. He scored a pitch or two later on a wild pitch the catcher blocked in front of the plate. He read the ball as the catcher had to retrieve the ball in fair territory.

"Sal has run the bases so well this spring," Francona said.

First of all, Stewart has been on base 47 percent of the time.

"I think Geno will have more RBI," Francona said.

When the Reds signed Suarez, it was good news for Francona. He pointed out that when he put some in the cleanup spot last season and the player struggled, they would show frustration.

"Sal's not putting his head down, ever," Francona acknowledged. "It is a pretty good compliment to Sal."

Stewart was not quite ready last spring even though he impressed people in camp. "He is going to be a good major league hitter some day, we just don't know when," Francona said.

Stewart went to the minor leagues, starting in Double A Chattanooga. He hit .306 with 19 doubles and 10 home runs. He drove in 44 in 80 games. His on-base-percentage was .377. The Reds promoted him to Triple A Louisville, where he played 38 games, hitting even better at a .315 clip with 15 doubles and 10 home runs. 

The Reds promoted him to make his big league debut on September first against the Toronto Blue Jays. He started the game at first base. Stewart played first base for the first time in that game. Coming up through the minor leagues, he played second and third base. 

At 21 years old, Stewart became the youngest position player to play in the postseason in Reds' history. He played both games of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the youngest overall since Manny Sarmiento pitched in Game 4 of the 1976 World Series at the age of 20.

Stewart who works out in the off season with San Diego Padres star, Manny Machado, has trimmed some fat during the off season.

He's played second base, third base and first base this spring.

"We've played him more at first base this spring because that is where he's had the least experience," Francona said.

Stewart performed well all spring. Although spring training results can be deceiving, the young right handed hitter is hitting, .357 in 17 games going into the last Cactus League game against the Cleveland Guardians. He has been on base at a .471 rate. His slugging percentage is .667 with four doubles, three home runs and eight RBI. He collected four stolen bases without being caught. He has walked more times, nine than he's struck out, seven. 

His eye at the plate is so good, he has won several challenges through the ABS system this spring.

Reds White Sox Abbott Declares Himself Ready The Best He's Thrown All Spring Training

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

With the help of manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Derek Johnson, Andrew Abbott was able to flush frustration and spin the game against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday (032126).

Abbott threw 84 pitches with 52 strikes and declared himself ready for his start on opening day against the other Sox, the Boston Red Sox.

"I thought it was the best I have in spring training, a lot of soft contact, one hard hit ball, in the zone with all pitches, a lot of swing and miss in the zone, only walked one guy. I just felt very competitive. The mechanics that I've been working on were good. The cutter was great, the change up was good other than the one Pereira hit out," Abbott said. 

Pereira homered with a man on in the second inning with two outs and a man on.

"It was the only mistake I made. It was actually out of the zone. he put a good swing on it. The only gripe I had was that it was up."

Abbott rebounded from an outing in which he allowed eight runs in two innings. Against the White Sox, Abbott allowed five runs but three were unearned. Two scored after he left the game in mid inning in the fourth. An error by Sal Stewart had the bases loaded with two outs. Jimmy Ramano gave up a single with the bases loaded resulting in the two runs.

Abbott returned in the fifth and gave up a leadoff double and the run scored on two ground outs. He completed the inning with 4 2/3 innings allowing five runs, three earned on four hits and a walk.

"Tito said, hey you're not going to throw well every game. Just get it out of your head. DJ was right behind him and said. Let's be external. Whatever happens, let it go. Don't dwell on it and let's keep making pitches. I think that message kind of hit home. I haven't been myself and been more frustrated than I probably should," Abbott said.

TJ Friedl had two hits, including a bunt single that started a five-run rally. Matt McLain singled Friedl to third. Elly De La Cruz tripled over the head of right fielder Everson Pereira. De La Cruz was caught in a rundown on a bouncer back to the pitcher by Sal Stewart. He was out lunging for home but Stewart made it to third and scored on a wild pitch by Sean Newcomb. Jose Trevino hit a two run home run following a walk to Eugenio Suarez.

Will Benson homered off left hander Sean Newcomb. Sal Stewart hit an RBI single in the first inning. 

McLain is hitting .529 going into the last Cactus League game. Stewart is hitting .357.

Pierce Johnson, Tony Santillan and Connor Phillips put up zeroes during their stints.

Sam Moll, who was informed he made the team this afternoon, allowed two runs on three hits in his inning.

Terry Francona assigned Mike Napoli to manage the last four innings for the Reds after the minor leaguers came in.

"I want to be a manager someday, so Terry told me to take over when the minor leaguers came in. We've been letting Neboa coach first so he told me to go ahead and manage," Napoli said.

He is undefeated as manager the Reds rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 7-7. 

Facing Frankeli Arias, Nathaniel Lowe, who won a roster spot as a non-roster player, singled to open the ninth. Napoli put in Yeycol Soriano to pinch run. Rueben Ibarra walked. Napoli pinch ran Naibel Mariano. Napoli put on the sacrifice and Esmith Pineda executed a good sac bunt. Will Banfield struck out. Austin Hendricks was hit by a pitch to load the bases. PJ Higgins took a 3-2 pitch and lined it into the right field pavilion for a walk-off grand slam home run and an 11-7 win.

"You get guys on and move them to scoring position," Napoli explained.

Andrew Abbott Tries To Shake Frustrations Against The Chicago White Sox

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Left hander Andrew Abbott looks to shake frustration in his last pre -season start against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday (032126).

Abbott, who was named opening day starter, has allowed 20 runs in 13 innings. He has his pitch count up and scheduled to pitch five innings against the Sox.

In his last outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Abbott was touched for eight runs, on eight hits and three walks. He struck out just three. The farthest into a game he has gone is 3 2/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 11.

The lineup behind Abbott is:

TJ Friedl CF

Matt McLain 2B

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart 1B

Eugenio Suarez DH

Noelvi Marte RF

Jose Trevino C

Will Benson LF

Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B

The Reds play their final game in Arizona on Sunday (022226) before flying to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in two games, Monday and Tuesday. Nick Lodolo will pitch against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday at 12:05 Eastern Time, an hour early. Regulars in the game will get their at bats and prepare for the bus to the airport.

Brady Singer is scheduled to start on Monday in Milwaukee. Chase Burns is penciled in for Tuesday in Milwaukee. Brandon Williamson will pitch in a minor league game at the Reds Complex on Wednesday before flying to Cincinnati.

Hunter Greene will stay in Arizona after bone chips in his right elbow were surgically removed. It will be six weeks before he can start throwing. He is scheduled to return to the Reds sometime in July.

Reds Finalize Roster Four Games Until Opening Day

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

It isn't always the case but all the players know where they are going to be next Wednesday. The can send their cars to the right city and secure living space at least to start the 2026 season.

History tells us that some players, who were disappointed today, will be playing in Cincinnati before the playoffs role around. So will have larger roles than they are thinking right now.

"We talked to every body," Terry Francona said.

"We talked to (Sam) Moll. He's on," Francona said.

Moll was up and down last season after an injury riddled spring in 2025. He pitched in Cincinnati last season and has used up his options. Moll had to make the team or be put on waivers. Pierce Johnson, Tony Santillan and Brock Burke all are out of options. Those four will be in the Reds bullpen. Burke and Moll are the left handers in the bullpen. Caleb Ferguson is also left handed and will likely be the 26th man on the roster once his strained oblique clears up. He has been moving his arm, simulating throwing without using his oblique. Ferguson will get another MRI on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

"The last four outings, Moll's stuff has really ticked up," Francona said. "The change up has been really good. With Ferguson down, it gives us that second lefty. It just seemed to make sense to me." 

The Starting rotation is set with Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and two out of Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson, who had the best spring among them all.

One of the later three will be counted as a bullpen arm at least to start the season with Hunter Greene, who will likely go on the 60-day injured list at the start of the season. That will clear a 40-man roster spot for one player.

Emilio Pagan, Connor Phillips and Graham Ashcraft will join Johnson, Santillan, Burke and Ferguson.

"We talked to (Zach) Maxwell," Francona said. "We told him he would start in Triple A. We told him to knock the door down. He's one to bash that sucker down. As he works ahead (in the count), he's got the chance to abuse some hitters. When he doesn't he has a chance to do what we just saw." Back-to-back doubles in the game against the Cubs on Friday night. 

"We talked to (Rece) Hinds and told him he would start in Triple A. We talked to (JJ) Bleday and told him he would start in Triple A. We told Lowe, he made the club," Francona said.

Lowe is out of options and signed as a minor league player with an invitation to the Major League spring training camp. He will need to be placed on the 40-man roster.

"It wasn't just that Lowe didn't have any options. It was the role. It is a bench role," Francona said. "We really want Bleday and Hinds to play and we told them that."

The Reds feel that is would be a disservice to Bleday and Hinds to sit on the Major League bench and only get to play sporadically.

"They both swung the bat really well.

Bleday played in 15 games, getting 44 plate appearances with a .317 batting average, .364 on-base-percentage, three doubles and four home runs for a .683 slugging percentage and 1.047 OPS.

Hinds played in 21 games with 43 plate appearances with a .410 batting average, .465 on-base-percentage and a .949 slugging percentage with four doubles, a triple and five home runs. His OPS was 1.414.

Lowe played first base while the other two are outfielders. He hit .270 in 15 games with 42 plate appearances, a .357 OBP, and a .622 slugging percentage and .970 OPS with four doubles and three home runs. Lowe has the experience to better handle, not playing every day.

"We talked to Lowe about the role. We told Hinds that he couldn't have done more. I was very careful how I worded it with him," Francona said. "You did enough to make the team. The role is a bench spot and we want you to play."

The outfield will be Dane Myers, TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, and Will Benson. Lowe will mostly be a left handed bat off the bench. Spencer Steer is listed as an infielder but will also play outfield quite a bit during the season as well as first base and second base.

"I think we're deeper than we were last year. I know it's disappointing for players to hear they're going to Triple A," Francona said. "It is a good feeling when you can send a guy to Triple A, who I think could help us. We have Mey, Maxwell and (Yunior) Marte, there's some good arms. Bleday and Hinds had great springs and we told them that. The big hope it the disappointment doesn't get in the way. I don't think it will but that's what we talk to them about."

The catchers are Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino. The six infielders are: Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez.

"We're not trying to turn Steer into a utility player. We consider him an every day player," Francona said. 

Reds Clobber Cubs Opening Day Starter Brandon Williamson Is Back Baby

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

The Reds faced Chicago Cubs opening day starter, Mathew Boyd, in the last Cactus League road trip of the spring. 

Tyler Stephenson followed a double by Sal Stewart, who scored on a throwing error by Pete Crow-Armstrong with a 447 foot home run against Boyd. Dane Myers opened the third inning with a single. Jose Trevino, the designated hitter to get an extra at bat, walked. Matt McLain hit his seventh Cactus League home run to put the Reds up 5-0. Later in the inning, Eugenio Suarez walked and Spencer Steer singled. Manager Craig Counsel removed Boyd.

Minor leaguer, Tyler Beede, finished the inning. Boyd returned for the top of the fourth.

Williamson retired the first seven Cubs' batters until James Triantos singled through a big hole 'between first and second base. Jefferson Rojas singled but was thrown out at second by center fielder, Myers. Williamson faced a bases loaded one out jam but got Moises Ballesteros to hit a hot smash to Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, McLain had to throw across his body and his low throw was scooped by Stewart.

Stewart lined his second double of the game to left center and scored on a Suarez single. Steer put the Reds up 8-0 with a line home run to left field.

Rojas hit his fourth home run of the spring with two outs in the fifth but Williamson became the first Reds' pitcher to complete five innings. He pitched one out into the sixth, giving up a hit but no runs. He finished 5 1/3 innings, throwing 75 pitches with 53strikes in 100 degree heat.

"I've been out here two summers so I've pitched in heat like this. I was a little tired in the sixth but not because of the heat," Williamson said. "That was probably the best test this spring. I faced their top lineup and was able to get through it three times. It really doesn't go as planned like this. I got some early outs. I take pride in going deep in the game."

Williamson left with an 8-1 lead.

Nikolas worked off some rust in 2/3 inning, just joining the team from pitching for Italy in the WBC. He walked four and allowed a run.

Brock Burke gave up three runs in his inning, allowing a two-run home run to James Triantos.

Zach Maxwell gave up back-to-back doubles to start the ninth but settled in to finish the inning. He walked one and struck out one.

He (Williamson) has been really good," Terry Francona said. "He throws all of his pitches for strikes. He's throwing a mid-90's fastball. He's been fun to watch."

Williamson will stay behind when the team goes to Milwaukee for games Monday and Tuesday. He will pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday and fly back to Cincinnati.

Eugenio Suarez had his first day back after driving in the winning run in the World Baseball Classic championship game against the USA team.

"It is good to be back with the boys," Suarez said. "It was such a good time in the WBC. We have so much talent on this team here. It is going to be a good season."

Offensively, Matt McLain had two hits in four at bats, including his seventh home run. He is at .542 for the spring with a 1.648 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

Sal Stewart hit two doubles and is hitting .359.

"He is paying attention to base running. He knows that is what it will take for us to win," Francona said.