Brandon Williamson and three relievers combined on a three-hit shutout as the Cincinnati Reds blanked the Miami Marlins 2-0 on Monday night at loanDepot park. The win extended the Reds' winning streak to four games and improved their record to 7-3.
Williamson's Best Outing
Williamson delivered the latest in a string of strong starts from the Reds rotation, tossing 6.2 innings of three-hit ball with four strikeouts and one walk. The left-hander was especially effective with his changeup, which generated a whiff rate above 60 percent. Williamson kept Miami's lineup off balance all night, never allowing more than one baserunner in any inning and retiring the side in order multiple times.
The performance earned Williamson his first win of the season and continued a stretch of dominant starting pitching for Cincinnati. Through the last four games, Reds starters have combined to allow just five earned runs.
How They Scored
The Reds broke through in the fourth inning when Elly De La Cruz ripped a double and hustled into scoring position, then scored on Sal Stewart's single through the right side. De La Cruz finished the night 2-for-4 with a double and a single, continuing his productive stretch during the winning streak.
Tyler Stephenson provided insurance in the eighth inning with a solo home run to left field, his second homer in four games after the go-ahead blast that helped spark the winning streak in Texas on April 3. The additional run proved valuable in taking pressure off the bullpen.
Bullpen Seals the Deal
Brock Burke entered to strand a runner in the seventh inning, earning a hold. Tony Santillan was excellent over 2.1 scoreless innings for his fourth hold of the season. Emilio Pagan worked the final out for his fourth save, completing the Reds' third shutout in their first 10 games.
Junk Deserved Better
Marlins starter Janson Junk turned in a quality start of his own, lasting 7.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. He kept the Reds' offense in check for most of the night but received no run support from a lineup depleted by injuries to Kyle Stowers, Christopher Morel, and Esteury Ruiz.
Looking Ahead
The Reds continue the four-game series Tuesday night with the marquee pitching matchup of the early season: Andrew Abbott faces Sandy Alcantara, who has not allowed an earned run in 16 innings this season. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET.
