Brandon Williamson Just Wants To Play While He Competes.Reds Score Big Shut Down Rockies

 Also  Follow Reds on https://athlonsports.com/

Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Brandon Williamson made a strong case to join the starting rotation. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks. He struck out four.

Williamson struck out Tyler Freeman the leadoff hitter after a 10-pitch at bat.

He was more efficient from there.

"The first inning I rushed a little bit. I felt I threw a lot of strikes. The had a lot of good AB (at bats) where they fouled off a lot of pitches. In the second and third I went to pitches that would get early contact. That kind of made the game go along a little quicker," Williamson said. "I haven't pitched in a while. I just wanted to see what works, throw my stuff over the plate. I wanted to see what gets hit and what doesn't."

After a long layoff, Williamson is learning how his body reacts.

"I think I understand where things are at after each outing. I've been able to adapt really well. Health has been a big part of that," Williamson said.

Williamson now has an open door to compete for a start in the rotation. Since Hunter Greene will be out for 16 weeks.

"He looked good, a good pitch mix, changed speeds. That was good," Terry Francona said. "The first at bat against him was a hell of an at bat. He got a cutter by him and took off from there."

Williamson knows he has a chance but the injury to Greene isn't his focus.

"First off it's horrible what happened to Hunter," Williamson said. "I know he's a competitor. I think he's going to be a Cy Young guy for a long time. But it really doesn't change for me, really. I haven't played in so long. I really just want to play. Whether there was one spot, two spots or five, I feel like I'd react the same. I'm trying to be the best pitcher I can be every day."

Pierce Johnson, Hagen Danner, Luis Mey, Anthony Misiewicz pitched scoreless innings. Lyon Richardson pitched an inning and a third with two strikeouts. An unearned run scored in his stint due to a throwing error by top prospect Tyson Lewis at third base.

Trevor Kuncl finished Richardson's second inning. The St. Xavier High School grad finished Richardson's inning.

"I think across the board we pitched pretty good. It was fun to watch," Francona said. "DJ thinks he's kind of interesting. There was some talk we were going to bring him to camp but we thought we could pitch him enough. He's an interesting kid."

The Reds assaulted the Colorado Rockies pitchers.

TJ Friedl had three hits, including a three-run home run. P.J. Higgins hit a three-run home run off starter Ryan Feltner. Will Benson doubled and hit a solo home run. It was his fourth this spring. Jose Trevino had two hits.

The Reds now have 32 home runs this spring. They struck out 11 times against the Rockies. They came into the game with the fewest strikeouts in MLB with 105. Last spring the Reds totaled 29 home runs the entire spring and struck out 276 times.