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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nick Martinez and Spencer Steer just miss making history in Reds' 8-1 win over Padres
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds were on the verge of making history twice Friday night against the San Diego Padres. Nick Martinez was three outs away from becoming the 18th pitcher in Reds franchise history to toss a no-hitter, and first baseman Spencer Steer was one swing away from becoming the second Reds player to homer four times in a game. But, both Martinez and Steer fell short. It was still a memorable night at Great American Ball Park as Cincinnati beat San Diego 8-1 for their eighth win in 12 games. Martinez (5-8) didn't allow a hit until pinch-hitter Elias Diaz doubled off the left-center field wall in the ninth. Martinez matched his career high with 112 pitches. He walked two and struck out six before giving way to Taylor Rogers, who sealed the win. Martinez retired 22 straight batters between a walk in the first inning and another to Trenton Brooks to start the ninth. It was the longest no-hit bid against the Padres since Arizona's Tyler Gilbert completed the feat on Aug. 14, 2021. 'That's as nervous as I've been in a long, long time,' Reds manager Terry Francona said. "They say good things happen to good people. What he did this week going to the bullpen. He deserved that." It was a far cry from Martinez's last start on June 19, when he allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 12-5 loss to the Twins. His next two appearances came in relief, tossing three scoreless innings. 'My last start, focus wasn't quite there, got shelled, which isn't fun,' the 34-year-old right-hander said. "Coming out of the pen allowed me to simplify things. It definitely helped me tonight." Martinez came within three outs of the first no-hitter by a Reds pitcher since Wade Miley on May 7, 2021, in a 3-0 win at Cleveland. Steer homered in the second inning and again in the fourth off Padres right-hander Dylan Cease. He then hit a two-run homer in the fifth off lefty Yuki Matsui. He came to bat leading off the eighth and struck out on a 3-2 pitch from David Morgan. 'With the score being 8-0 and it being the eighth inning, I can say that for the first time in my life, I didn't want to walk,' Steer said. 'I was trying to give myself a chance to hit a fourth. You never know how many opportunities you'll get at that.' It's the first career three-homer game for Steer, who has nine homers this season. The only other Reds player to go deep four times in a game was Scooter Gennett on June 6, 2017, against the Cardinals, also at Great American Ball Park. Steer said his golf game on Thursday's off day offered no indication that he'd have a big day at the plate on Friday. 'I shanked every shot I hit in the front nine,' he said, smiling. Following his third homer, Steer refused to grant the crowd's request for a curtain call. 'He's so humble, he wasn't comfortable coming out,' Francona said. 'Part of me thinks it's cool that he's so modest that he just doesn't want to do it.' The possibility of a no-hitter and a four-homer game on the same night seemed unlikely, until Friday. 'That would have been one hell of a night,' Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
a day ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Nick Martinez and Spencer Steer just miss making history in Reds' 8-1 win over Padres
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds were on the verge of making history twice Friday night against the San Diego Padres. Nick Martinez was three outs away from becoming the 18th pitcher in Reds franchise history to toss a no-hitter, and first baseman Spencer Steer was one swing away from becoming the second Reds player to homer four times in a game. But, both Martinez and Steer fell short. It was still a memorable night at Great American Ball Park as Cincinnati beat San Diego 8-1 for their eighth win in 12 games. Martinez (5-8) didn't allow a hit until pinch-hitter Elias Diaz doubled off the left-center field wall in the ninth. Martinez matched his career high with 112 pitches. He walked two and struck out six before giving way to Taylor Rogers, who sealed the win. Martinez retired 22 straight batters between a walk in the first inning and another to Trenton Brooks to start the ninth. It was the longest no-hit bid against the Padres since Arizona's Tyler Gilbert completed the feat on Aug. 14, 2021. 'That's as nervous as I've been in a long, long time,' Reds manager Terry Francona said. 'They say good things happen to good people. What he did this week going to the bullpen. He deserved that.' It was a far cry from Martinez's last start on June 19, when he allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 12-5 loss to the Twins. His next two appearances came in relief, tossing three scoreless innings. 'My last start, focus wasn't quite there, got shelled, which isn't fun,' the 34-year-old right-hander said. 'Coming out of the pen allowed me to simplify things. It definitely helped me tonight.' Martinez came within three outs of the first no-hitter by a Reds pitcher since Wade Miley on May 7, 2021, in a 3-0 win at Cleveland. Steer homered in the second inning and again in the fourth off Padres right-hander Dylan Cease. He then hit a two-run homer in the fifth off lefty Yuki Matsui. He came to bat leading off the eighth and struck out on a 3-2 pitch from David Morgan. 'With the score being 8-0 and it being the eighth inning, I can say that for the first time in my life, I didn't want to walk,' Steer said. 'I was trying to give myself a chance to hit a fourth. You never know how many opportunities you'll get at that.' It's the first career three-homer game for Steer, who has nine homers this season. The only other Reds player to go deep four times in a game was Scooter Gennett on June 6, 2017, against the Cardinals, also at Great American Ball Park. Steer said his golf game on Thursday's off day offered no indication that he'd have a big day at the plate on Friday. 'I shanked every shot I hit in the front nine,' he said, smiling. Following his third homer, Steer refused to grant the crowd's request for a curtain call. 'He's so humble, he wasn't comfortable coming out,' Francona said. 'Part of me thinks it's cool that he's so modest that he just doesn't want to do it.' The possibility of a no-hitter and a four-homer game on the same night seemed unlikely, until Friday. 'That would have been one hell of a night,' Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. ___ AP MLB:
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Reds' Martinez Takes No-Hit Bid Into 9th, Steer Hits 3 Homers in 8-1 Win Over Padres
Nick Martinez took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning before allowing pinch-hitter Elias Díaz's double. Spencer Steer hit three home runs, leading the Cincinnati Reds over the San Diego Padres 8–1 on Friday night. Martinez (5–8) walked his third batter, Jackson Merrill, on a low full-count sinker, then retired 22 consecutive hitters before walking rookie Trenton Brooks starting the ninth. Díaz then drove an 0–1 changeup off the base of the wall in left-center on Martinez's 112th and final pitch, which tied his career high. A 34-year-old right-hander, Martinez struck out six as the Reds won for the fourth time in five games. He also threw 112 pitches for Texas against Boston on May 28, 2015. Taylor Rogers walked a pair of batters, forcing in a run before striking out Gavin Sheets. Coming off a pair of relief appearances, Martinez made his first start since June 19. He entered with one complete game over 118 big league starts–an eight-inning effort in a loss at the Chicago Cubs last Sept. 27. After Martinez allowed seven runs over 2 2/3 innings against Minnesota, Reds manager Terry Francona suggested Martinez make a relief appearance. Martinez threw two perfect innings at St. Louis two days later, and Martinez offered to making another bullpen outing to keep starter Brady Singer on turn. Martinez pitched a 1-2-3 innings against the Yankees two days on June 23. Steer hit solo home runs in the second and fourth innings off Dylan Cease (3–7), then a two-run drive against Yuki Matsui in a four-run fifth. Steer has nine home runs this season. Key moment: Díaz's 393-foot double came on a changeup over the middle of the strike zone. Key start: There has never been a three-homer game during a no-hitter. Up next: Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (7–1, 1.79) and Padres RHP Randy Vásquez (3–4, 3.60) start Saturday.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Reds reinstate OF Austin Hays from IL, place OF Jake Fraley on IL
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds reinstated outfielder Austin Hays from 10-day injured list on Friday and placed outfielder Jake Fraley on the 10-day IL with a right shoulder sprain, retroactive to June 24. Hays was batting .303 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 119 at-bats before being placed on the IL with a left foot contusion after fouling a pitch off his foot in a 3-2 loss at Kansas City on May 28. 'We've missed him,' Reds manager Terry Francona said. 'He's still a presence. It will lengthen our lineup. We're getting a leader back.' While Hays' return adds an important piece to the Reds' lineup, they will be without Fraley, their regular right fielder, for an undetermined amount of time. Fraley, who's batting .224 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 47 games, hasn't played since Monday's series-opener against the Yankees. 'He said it's hurting,' Francona said of Fraley's shoulder. 'If he's going to play, it's not going to work if he's worried about it. We'll see what the best way to approach it is.' Cincinnati, which took two of three from the first-place Yankees earlier this week, began the day 2 1/2 games out of the third NL wild spot. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jose Ramirez tracking down Cleveland Guardians all-time franchise records
CLEVELAND — It certainly feels as though, with nearly every passing game, Jose Ramirez is moving past yet another Cleveland baseball great in the record books. He might eventually own most of those categories. Considering the Hall-of-Fame-level talent and the long-term deal he signed to remain in Cleveland through 2028 — giving him at least another 3.5 years in a Guardians uniform barring a franchise-altering trade — Ramirez is within range of supplanting some of the biggest names in franchise history. Advertisement Terry Francona, also a future Hall of Famer in his own right, returned to Cleveland June 9 for the first time since momentarily retiring from managing. He delivered a message to Cleveland fans. He also spoke about what it was like watching Ramirez during his year away from baseball. "I mean, this kid made himself into one of the best players in the game," Francona said while sitting in the same building but now in an opposing uniform. "Sometimes you'll see guys as they accrue veteranship, maybe they slow down a little bit. Josey I think understands as the game slows down for you, you don't have to slow down." June 9 was Francona's first game managing against Ramirez, knowing the All-Star third baseman is in the other dugout. The Reds won the game 7-4, but Francona kept thinking they needed some insurance runs for one reason. "Kept looking at my card and I'm thinking, 'God, Josey, he's going to come up,'" Francona said. "And I kept thinking, just get one more. Kept saying that because he's that good where you always know where he is on your lineup card. I remember feeling like that with Miggy [Miguel Cabrera] in Detroit, and this guy's kind of the same. You don't ever lose track of where he is." Jose Ramirez stats, Hall of Fame case, Guardians records he's chasing Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) walks off the field against the Houston Astros on June 8, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Ramirez recently became one of only seven players in baseball history with at least 1,500 hits, 250 home runs, 250 stolen bases and six defensive Wins Above Replacement, joining Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, Ryne Sandberg, Mike Cameron and Robin Yount. And he's the only third baseman on that list (unless you count A-Rod's pivot to the hot corner at the tail end of his career). Advertisement "Besides the fact that he's unbelievably talented, just the IQ, he's making the play before it happens and that's what the best defenders do," manager Stephen Vogt said, discussing Ramirez's defensive play at third base. "I don't know if there's a better third baseman defensively in baseball right now." Ramirez was ranked as one of the 14 active players most likely headed toward the Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll without question one day be in the Guardians Ring of Honor. There's a chance a statue outside Progressive Field comes with it. Jose Ramirez chasing Guardians franchise records: plate appearances Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez (11) steals third base against the Cincinnati Reds on June 9, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Earl Averill leads the way (which will become a common theme here) with 6,712 plate appearances. Entering June 9, Ramirez is ninth with 6,349. Assuming he can remain healthy, he should take over the franchise lead as the player who has stepped to the plate the most in a Cleveland uniform next year. Runs scored Ramirez is fifth with 938 runs scored, trailing Averill's 1,154. He'll also have a chance to take over first by the end of 2026. And Ramirez should pass Kenny Lofton (975 runs) soon. Hits Nap Lajoie holds a Cleveland-record with 2,047 hits. Ramirez sits at 1,578, meaning he still has a few years before he can threaten this one. He's about to pass Omar Vizquel (1,616 hits) for seventh on the franchise all-time list. Total bases Ramirez, with 2,839 total bases entering June 9, is quickly approaching Averill's team record of 3,200 total bases. He'll easily secure this one in 2026. Doubles Tris Speaker holds the Cleveland baseball record with 486 doubles, still a ways in front of Ramirez's 378. Along with a few others, this is one record Ramirez might need to wait until 2028 to claim. Home runs The all-time franchise record is also on that list. Jim Thome is the leader with 337. Ramirez is tracking him with 267. He's been on pace to pass Thome in 2028, his final year under his current contract. Ramirez has already passed players like Manny Ramirez and Albert Belle. RBIs Averill has driven in the most runs in franchise history with 1,084. Ramirez is fifth on that list with 895. He'll likely have a chance to take the top spot, if all goes well, in 2027. Stolen bases This one might be the most difficult on the list for Ramirez to claim. Kenny Lofton is the franchise leader with 452 stolen bases. Ramirez is third, but he still has only 261. Ramirez turns 33 in September, so it'll come down to how often he runs as he enters his mid-30s. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jose Ramirez chasing Cleveland Guardians all-time franchise records
