Reds' Chris Paddack gains confidence, stifles Guardians' lineup again

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Reds' Chris Paddack gains confidence, stifles Guardians' lineup again originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Awarded a fresh start with the Cincinnati Reds, Chris Paddack needed a shot of confidence. He received one on Saturday at Progressive Field, facing a Cleveland Guardians roster he had previously controlled.

Designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins on May 5 after enduring six ineffective starts, Paddack received a professional lifeline from the pitching-desperate Reds. The 30-year-old right-hander signed a one-year contract on Wednesday and threw a bullpen session the next afternoon.

"He had a tough time in Florida and we needed a pitcher," Reds manager Terry Francona said, as reported by MLB.com. "The hope is that he catches fire and gives us some help."

The newcomer did Saturday, departing with a 4-2, sixth-inning advantage.

Hard to determine who needed a strong start more, Paddack or the injury-riddled Reds' staff, which entered Saturday with a No. 27-ranked earned-run average (4.64).

Reds P Chris Paddack shut down Guardians again​

Paddack's signing was necessitated by the absence of Hunter Greene (elbow), Brandon Williamson (left shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (right shoulder). Triple-A Louisville pitcher Chase Petty would have been in line to replace Lowder, but he exited last Sunday's game because of a fingernail blister.

Paddack yielded seven earned runs in 2.2 innings in his final start with the Marlins on May 3, exiting the franchise with a 0-5 record and 7.63 ERA,

Paddack needed a shot of confidence and received it Saturday by finishing the fifth inning for the first time since April 10. Facing the Guardians in his first start with a new team appeared to help. Paddack entered Saturday having limited the current Guardians' roster to a .167 batting average.

The host squad did break through against the eight-year journeyman in the second inning, scoring two, two-out runs on Brayan Rocchio's bases-loaded single to left, scoring Steven Kwan and Angel Martinez.

Paddack responded by tossing three consecutive shutout innings, providing the Reds' staff a shot of confidence they can hold out until the reinforcements return.

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