Despite missing all five projected starters from the Opening Day rotation, the Cincinnati Reds starting pitchers put together historic numbers in a recent five-game stretch.
With Opening Day starter Frankie Montas dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline, and the other four starters -- Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft and Andrew Abbott -- all on the injured list, manager David Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson assembled a makeshift staff that has held its own lately.
They didn't allow a run over 24 2/3 innings from Saturday to Wednesday, the starting staff's longest scoreless-innings streak since 1990 (25.0 IP) and the sixth-longest such streak since 1961. That's courtesy Bally Sports Cincinnati.
Jakob Junis went five innings against the New York Mets on Saturday, yielding just one hit. Julian Aguiar followed with 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets on Sunday, Nick Martinez tossed seven scoreless frames on just two hits Monday versus the Atlanta Braves, and Rhett Lowder won his first game in the Majors by throwing five scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Brandon Williamson ended the streak in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game when Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado homered. Williamson would go five innings, allowing just the one run.
So over 26 2/3 total innings those five starters allowed just one earned run, gave up 13 hits, struck out 20 batters and walked only six.
Of course, they only won three of those five games.
Reds Pitching Depth: A Silver Lining in a Difficult Season
Williamson completed five innings for the first time in his three appearances (two starts) since he returned from a shoulder injury that cost him five months to begin the year. He's been good so far, allowing four runs (three earned) over 13 innings while posting an 11:3 K:BB. The lone blemish on his line Wednesday was a solo home run by Nolan Arenado. Williamson is tentatively projected to make his next appearance at home versus Atlanta.
Stepping Up in the Face of Adversity
Brandon Williamson's impressive performance continued the Cincinnati Reds' strong run of pitching despite a 2-1 loss to the Cardinals. In only his second start this season, Williamson allowed just one run over five innings, striking out five and throwing a season-high 82 pitches. Injuries have challenged the rotation, yet different starters like Jakob Junis and Rhett Lowder have stepped up remarkably. Williamson reflected on the team's commitment, while manager David Bell commended their adaptability amid adversity. The only blemish was Nolan Arenado's solo homer, which ended a remarkable scoreless streak for Reds pitchers.
The Reds' Unwavering Pitching Resilience
While the Reds' pitching has been commendable, their overall performance could be questioned after failing to secure a win despite their solid pitching efforts. The inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities highlights areas needing improvement.
As the season progresses, the Reds will rely on their pitching depth to navigate injuries. Continuing to build on recent performances will be essential for their chances of clinching wins amidst challenges.
The Reds' pitching depth is a silver lining in a challenging season, showcasing resilience and skill. Fostering this talent will be critical as the team aims to improve their standing moving forward.
A Look Ahead: What's Next For The Reds?
The Reds' pitching depth is a silver lining in a challenging season, showcasing resilience and skill. Fostering this talent will be critical as the team aims to improve their standing moving forward.
