CINCINNATI — Nick Martinez flirted with a no-hitter deep into the ninth inning during the Cincinnati Reds’ 8-1 victory against the San Diego Padres on Friday night, before pinch-hitter Elias Díaz broke through his effort with a double. Meanwhile, Spencer Steer provided ample support with three powerful home runs.
Martinez, showcasing stellar control, walked his third batter of the game, Jackson Merrill, early on with a full-count sinker slightly off target. Following that, he impressively retired 22 batters in a row before another walk to rookie Trenton Brooks in the ninth stirred suspense. It was on Martinez’s 112th pitch, equaling a career high, that Díaz spoiled his no-hit attempt with a solid double to left-center field.
At 34, the seasoned right-hander fanned six Padres hitters, steering the Reds to their fourth win over a stretch of five games. Notably, this wasn’t his first time reaching the 112-pitch mark, having done so previously against Boston when he was with Texas in 2015. Following Martinez’s exit, Taylor Rogers took over but briefly struggled, issuing two walks that resulted in a run before he regrouped to strike out Gavin Sheets, securing the one-hitter for Cincinnati.
This game marked a significant return to the starting rotation for Martinez, stepping up after his last start on June 19. He initially began a phase of relief duties after allowing seven runs in less than three innings against Minnesota. Under the guidance of Reds manager Terry Francona, Martinez embraced a bullpen role to offer flexibility for the team, successfully delivering three perfect innings in separate relief outings.
On the offensive front, Steer launched solo home runs in both the second and fourth innings off pitcher Dylan Cease, followed by a decisive two-run blast against reliever Yuki Matsui during a four-run fifth inning. Steer has now reached nine home runs this season, offering a crucial boost to the Reds’ offensive strategy.
Although Díaz’s impactful 393-foot hit came from a poorly placed changeup, the exceptional closing by Martinez and the Reds’ defense couldn’t be overshadowed by one slip.
Looking ahead, the Reds are set to continue their series with Andrew Abbott on the mound (7-1, 1.79 ERA), countered by Padres’ Randy Vásquez (3-4, 3.60 ERA) for their upcoming match on Saturday.
Home Reds' Martinez Nearly No-Hits, Steer Blasts Trio in Win