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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona
Andrew Abbott got the first five Kansas City batters out, then allowed a single to Michael Massey and a home run to Josh Rojas.
Abbott, who didn't pitch in a Cactus League game last season got into action early this spring after a normal off season.
Abbott pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with no walks. He struck out two.
"I was executing all five (pitches) in the zone. They had some good swings but some bad swings too. That was encouraging," Abbott said. "The best thing was efficiency. It was what we set up to do at the end of last year. We want to continue that into the season."
Abbott was so efficient he went to the bullpen to throw more after he left the game. A normal off season helped.
"It felt fantastic to be out there. Last year I waited two to three weeks to get back out there," Abbott said. "Even when I got back on the mound, I wasn't up to par yet. Coming in, no strings attached was great. Leaving the game feeling great makes you smile. There were no hiccups or anything during the off season."
Abbott is looking for a big year for himself and the team.
"I was reliable last year. That's what I want to be for the team. I want to be out there. I want to throw a lot of innings for the team. I want to make 30-32 starts. Whatever capacity I can help, I'm going to do it."
Abbott logged a career-high 166 1/3 innings last season.
Brandon Williamson made 23 starts in 2023 but was limited to three starts in 2024. The 27-year old battled a strained left shoulder from March on. Surgery repaired his left elbow in October 2024. His last game was on September 17, 2024.
Williamson struck out the side in his first inning. He gave up a home run to Jac Castiglione and a run scoring double to Rojas in his second inning.
"Watching Williamson, that was some good stuff," Francona said. "I know Abbott gave up the home run on an 0-2 fastball but he threw the ball really well. Williamson was really good. That was kind of exciting to watch."
He finished his outing with two innings, two runs on three hits, no walks and four strikeouts.
"Watching B Will out there makes me smile too. We watched him grinding his entire off season and season last year," Abbott said.
Elly De La Cruz hit a 432 foot home run off of Carlos Estevez. Eugenio Suarez followed immediately after it with a home run.
"When Elly hit it I kinda put my head down," Francona said. "I'm going to stop doing that. I thought it was a pop up. We did some good things."
The Reds trailed 4-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. Sal Stewart singled to open the inning. Running on a pitch to Leo Balcazar, Stewart took the tying run to third base with no outs. Edwin Arroyo singled to tie the game. Cam Collier hit into a force play that sent Balcazar to third with one out. Michael Toglia, a non-roster player with three years experience singled into the hole between first and second to give the Reds' their first win of the spring.
"I love that. You know what? There are different reasons in a day to be excited. We certainly want the guys to play well because that's important and when they come out. There is a difference and good for them. I want them to excited for that. We'll talk about it in the morning," Francona said.
ABS Challenges
Home plate umpire, Steven Jaschinski was challenged five times and overturned twice.
Suarez challenged a strike call in the second inning and won the challenge. He struck out anyway.
Dane Myers challenged a called third strike on a 3-2 pitch in the second inning. It was also overturned. It made a big difference. Instead of runners on first and second with two outs, the reversed call setup the Reds with the bases loaded and one out. TJ Friedl's force of Myers allowed the Reds to score their first run instead of being the third out.
Kansas City batters challenged strikes thrown by Williamson in the third bot were upheld and resulted in strike outs.
The Reds challenged another ball call later and it was upheld with no effect on the game.
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