Sonny Gray dominant as Reds defeat Padres 3-2

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Sonny Gray has been on an absolute tear as of late. He came into tonight’s game with a 2nd half ERA of 1.70 in his 7 starts since the All Star Break along with a scoreless streak of 17.1 innings. That continued tonight against the San Diego Padres as he took another shutout into the 6th inning. That streak unfortunately ended with a solo home run in that inning, but he still had another dominant night on the hill. In all he threw six innings, allowing only one run on four hits while walking three and striking out ten. It’s been great to see this night after night from one of the future mainstays of the Reds’ rotation. Have a trophy, Sonny.

Honorable mentions are due to: Aristides Aquino, for continuing to deliver with a RBI single in the first; Freddy Galvis, for continuing to tear the cover off the ball with a 2-run home run in the sixth; Josh VanMeter, for collecting two hits and scoring twice

Key Plays

• The Reds got on the board early, taking the lead in the bottom of the first. Josh VanMeter led off with a single. He then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Austin Hedges. After a Freddy Galvis strikeout and an Eugenio Suarez fly out, Aristides Aquino would single to center to bring in VanMeter to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
• Things stayed pretty quiet from then on out, as both pitchers were dealing. Unfortunately for the Reds, the Padres were able to tie things up. Sonny Gray was able to get two quick outs bto start the inning but things quickly got hairy after that. Josh Naylor launched a solo dinger to center to tie the game at one. Gray forced a pop up from Manny Machado, but it went to no-man’s land and some miscommunication in the outfield led to it falling for a hit. Walks to Eric Hosmer and Francisco Mejia loaded the bases, but Gray was able to force a line out out of Manuel Margot to keep things tied at 1-1.
• The Reds were immediately able to regain the lead in the bottom of the inning, though. Josh VanMeter singled to left to start things off. Freddy Galvis then came up and sent a 2-0 pitch into the seats in left to put the Reds back up 3-1.
• Amir Garrett made his return from his 8-game suspension in the top of the eigth and immediately walked the first two batters he faced. That prompted the Reds to go with Michael Lorenzen for the remainder of the inning. After getting Manny Machado to fly out, he induced a Taylor Made double play ball from Eric Hosmer to get out of the inning. Except, that wouldn’t be the case. After getting the out at second, the throw by Jose Iglesias went wide and VanMeter was unable to get a glove on it. That allowed Josh Naylor to score, cutting the lead to 3-2. Thankfully, a Francisco Mejia fly out ended the inning.
• Raisel Iglesias was called upon in the ninth inning and slammed the door with little trouble. Reds win, 3-2!

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Sonny Gray allowed a solo home run to Josh Naylor in the top of the 6th, which snapped his 23 inning scoreless streak. That was the longest scoreless streak by a Red since JJ Hoover threw 26.1 straight without allowing a run in 2013 and the longest by a started since Tom Browning in 1990. Well done.
• Amir Garrett made his return from his 8-game suspension and it did not go well. He immediately walked two batters on only 9 pitches before being replaced by Michael Lorenzen.
• The Reds will try to improve their record in day games to 17-32 tomorrow as they face off against the Padres at 12:35 PM. Luis Castillo will start for the Reds, looking to bounce back from his rough outing against St. Louis last week. The Padres have yet to announce a starter for tomorrow.
• Tunes.