Andrew Abbott Pitches Noelvi Marte Hits Reds To Win Over Milwaukee Brewers

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Andrew Abbott made his fourth Cactus League start on Wednesday (031126) against the Milwaukee Brewers at Goodyear Ballpark.

Abbott gave up a two-run home run to Gary Sanchez in the first inning. He pitched 3/2/3 innings without allowing another run. He allowed six hits a two walks with five strikeouts. Altogether it was better than his last two outings in which he gave up four runs each.

Abbott was cognizant of the fact he hadn't pitched a scorless inning until today.

"I think I'm getting back to pitching the way I want to during the season. Props to Gary (Sanchez) he hit a cutter. I'm still working on it but it didn't do what I wanted it to do and that's going to happen," Abbott said. "I don't like walking people ever but that's going to happen. I was able to work around it. My timing was better. My pitch execution was better. It was in the strike zone."

"I hadn't had a single zero in the score column in a single inning. I  was joking with Tito. I told him it was good to see at least one in there."

Abbott reported both his curve and slider were good as well as his change up.

"I thought he (Abbott) got better as he went," Terry Francona said. "He pulled some fastballs but he did get better which was really good."

Noelvi Marte had trouble with the Arizona sky all spring. Today he made two above average catches in right field. It was the topic of discussion before the game.

"How about that? It was good. That was exciting for us. He got back on the real good play in the outfield. He took some really good swings off lefties," Francona said.

Marte for some reason had trouble hitting left handed pitching last year. It put the Reds in a bind because the are a left handed dominate lineup. They need a bat to punish lefties.

Marte homered off left hander, Robert Gasser the Milwaukee Brewers' starter. He doubled in a run against Jesus Broca.

Matt McLain hit his fifth home run of the spring in the first inning. He added two singles and is now hitting a whopping .607 with an on-base-percentage of .667 and a slugging percentage of 1.846. The second baseman had an off year at the plate last season.

"It's impressive," Abbott said of McLain. "We all know what the guy can do. I'm not surprised at all. I saw him play in college. I saw him when he came up with me in 2023. The guys a gamer."

Jose Trevino hit a home run in three at bats and is hitting .316 this spring.

The Reds as a team have hit 35 home runs this spring. The hit 29 all last spring. They struck out nine times against the Brewers to bring the total to 125 in 17 games. The only team with fewer strikeouts this spring in the New York Mets with 124 but they have only played 15 games.