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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.
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