Homer Bailey takes no-hitter into 6th inning, Reds still lose 6-1

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey looked as much like Homer Bailey as we’ve seen in years on Tuesday, and he finally had his put-away pitches working in this one. Homer fanned 7 in his 6 IP after having struck out just 5 in 10.2 IP entering play tonight, and while he was busy holding the Phillies hitless he was hitting his spots as well as we’ve seen from him in quite some time.

His final line - 6 IP, 2 H, ER, 0 BB, 7 K on 93 pitches - is exactly the kind of upside start that should have you finally, finally tuning in to watch him every five days again.

Honorable Mentions are due to: Billy Hamilton, who walked twice, swiped a pair of bags, and scored; and Jesse Winker, who walked and singled in a run.

Key Plays

• Aaron Nola issued a walk to Hamilton with 2-out in the Top of the 5th, and after Billy swiped 2B easily, he scored on Winker’s single over the 2B’s glove into RF. Reds led, 1-0.
• Bailey’s no-no ended in the Bottom of the 6th when Cesar Hernandez singled into RF, and he came around to score when Odubel Herrera doubled to the wall in right-center. Game tied, 1-1.
• Jared Hughes took over for the Bottom of the 7th, and...welp. He allowed a leadoff double to Nick Williams, and Williams later scored when J.P. Crawford - who was 1 for 2018 entering play and had the pitcher’s spot on-deck - singled with 2-outs to bring in a run. Reds trailed, 2-1.
• Tanner Rainey made his big league debut when he entered in the Bottom of the 8th. Because rooting for the Reds requires some hilarious combination of pain, self-loathing, and ridiculousness, he loaded the bases and allowed a Scott Kingery grand slam in between flashing a 99 mph fastball and electric breaking ball, and the Reds lost 6-1.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Rainey had been a Red for about eleven minutes and had a grand total of 19 innings in his professional career above A ball prior to being put into this one in a 2-1 game. There’s a large part of me that thinks Bryan Price is seriously saying to the front office this is all you’re giving me, so I’m going to throw them into the fire. Otherwise...I’ve got nothing.
• Joey Votto looks totally lost.
• Alex Blandino made his MLB debut in this one, though it certainly could’ve gone a bit better for him. He went 0 for 3 with 2 Ks and committed an error on defense.
• Luis Castillo will get the nod in Wednesday’s outing against the Phillies opposite Nick Pivetta. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM ET.
• Tunes.