The Cincinnati Reds couldn't hold a 2-0 lead Saturday afternoon, falling to the Seattle Mariners 6-3 at Peoria Stadium after Pierce Johnson imploded in the fifth inning. Matt McLain provided the offensive highlight with a solo home run, but Johnson's disastrous one-third inning relief appearance — allowing five earned runs on three hits and two walks — turned a promising start into another spring training lesson about bullpen depth.
McLain Continues Hot Spring
McLain's two-hit performance, highlighted by his third-inning solo shot, continues to build momentum for the second-year utility man's bid for regular playing time. Going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, McLain now has multiple hits in three of his last five spring games. His ability to drive the ball with authority — evident in that third-inning blast — gives manager David Bell another versatile option heading into the regular season.
Spencer Steer added a double in his 1-for-3 effort, while Elly De La Cruz chipped in with a two-bagger of his own. The Reds managed 11 hits against Seattle pitching, showing the kind of offensive depth that could make this lineup dangerous when the games count.
Williamson Solid Before Bullpen Collapse
Brandon Williamson did exactly what you want from a spring training start — four innings of two-hit ball with four strikeouts and just one walk. The left-hander needed 63 pitches to get through four frames, showing the kind of efficiency that could earn him a rotation spot. Williamson didn't allow an earned run and looked comfortable attacking the strike zone.
Then Pierce Johnson took the mound for the fifth inning and everything unraveled. The veteran reliever faced seven batters and got just one out, surrendering five earned runs that turned a 2-0 Cincinnati lead into a 5-2 deficit. Johnson's 27-pitch nightmare included three hits and two walks — exactly the kind of performance that raises questions about bullpen reliability heading into the season.
Fifth Inning Disaster Changes Everything
The turning point came swiftly and brutally in the bottom of the fifth. After Williamson had cruised through four scoreless innings, Johnson entered with the Reds holding their 2-0 advantage. What followed was a textbook example of how quickly spring training momentum can shift.
Brendan Donovan, who finished 4-for-4 with three RBIs, sparked the rally that buried Cincinnati. Luke Raley drove in two runs with a double, while Rob Refsnyder added an RBI double of his own. By the time Thomas Farr came in to clean up Johnson's mess, the damage was complete and the Mariners had grabbed a 5-2 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Bright Spots in Relief
Connor Phillips provided one of the game's few bright spots from the Cincinnati bullpen, striking out three batters in a perfect eighth inning. The right-hander needed just 18 pitches to work around the heart of Seattle's order, showing the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that could make him a valuable late-game option.
Anthony Misiewicz also contributed a clean inning of work, allowing just one walk while striking out one. These performances matter in spring training — while Johnson's struggles raise red flags, Phillips and Misiewicz showed they belong in the conversation for Opening Day roster spots.
What's Next
This loss drops the Reds' spring record, but the real concern isn't wins and losses — it's Pierce Johnson's command issues and what they mean for bullpen construction. With less than three weeks until Opening Day, Johnson needs to show he can locate his fastball and secondary pitches consistently.
McLain's continued offensive production, meanwhile, gives Bell another reason for optimism. The 24-year-old's versatility and bat could make him a key piece in Cincinnati's puzzle, whether at second base, shortstop, or in a super-utility role.
The Reds continue spring training action as they fine-tune their roster for what promises to be a competitive season in the NL Central. Games like Saturday's serve as important reminders that depth matters — and that every pitcher competing for a bullpen spot still has work to do.