- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,257,995
- Reaction score
- 59
It didn't take long for the Cincinnati Reds to feel the ill effects of losing relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft to injury.
Trailing the Atlanta Braves 4-0 after two innings at Great American Ball Park on May 29, the Reds and starting pitcher Chris Paddack punched their way back to within a run at 4-3 by the fifth inning. Then, Yunior Marte, the pitcher called up from Triple-A Louisville in the corresponding move to Ashcraft going on the 60-day injured list, entered the contest.
Cincinnati's slim deficit grew with Marte on the mound. In just 1/3 of an inning, Marte allowed four runs on three hits and a walk as Atlanta blew the game open via an 8-3 lead in the sixth. The Braves, owners of MLB's best record at 38-19 entering play, went on to win 8-3.
The game highlighted the narrowest of margins for error for a Reds pitching staff still being stretched thin by injuries.
Paddack, signed May 13 to supplement a starting staff being worn thin by injuries, kept the Reds reasonably competitive for the third time in three starts. On May 29, he went five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks.
Marte, the 31-year-old brought aboard earlier in the day to backfill for the most recent high-leverage Cincinnati reliever to go on the IL in Ashcraft, had little margin for error in his first big-league appearance of 2026. He buckled, and the Reds were in a deeper hole than the one they started the game in.
Earlier in the week, Cincinnati reliever Caleb Ferguson made his 2026 debut after a long battle with injury. Starter Rhett Lowder is set to make a rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on June 2, and Hunter Greene is still months away from his return but is back in the Reds' clubhouse − a sign of progress.
But closer Emilio Pagán remains on the IL, and Ashcraft joining him there deprived the team of another premium relief option.
Cincinnati will attempt to even its three-game set with Atlanta on Saturday, May 30 with right-handed Brady Singer (2-4, 6.26 ERA) scheduled to face lefty Martin Perez (2-3, 2.70 ERA). The game at Great American Ball Park is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. first pitch.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds bullpen lets close game get away in loss to Atlanta Brave
Continue reading...
Trailing the Atlanta Braves 4-0 after two innings at Great American Ball Park on May 29, the Reds and starting pitcher Chris Paddack punched their way back to within a run at 4-3 by the fifth inning. Then, Yunior Marte, the pitcher called up from Triple-A Louisville in the corresponding move to Ashcraft going on the 60-day injured list, entered the contest.
Cincinnati's slim deficit grew with Marte on the mound. In just 1/3 of an inning, Marte allowed four runs on three hits and a walk as Atlanta blew the game open via an 8-3 lead in the sixth. The Braves, owners of MLB's best record at 38-19 entering play, went on to win 8-3.
You must be registered for see images attach
The game highlighted the narrowest of margins for error for a Reds pitching staff still being stretched thin by injuries.
Paddack, signed May 13 to supplement a starting staff being worn thin by injuries, kept the Reds reasonably competitive for the third time in three starts. On May 29, he went five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks.
Marte, the 31-year-old brought aboard earlier in the day to backfill for the most recent high-leverage Cincinnati reliever to go on the IL in Ashcraft, had little margin for error in his first big-league appearance of 2026. He buckled, and the Reds were in a deeper hole than the one they started the game in.
Earlier in the week, Cincinnati reliever Caleb Ferguson made his 2026 debut after a long battle with injury. Starter Rhett Lowder is set to make a rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on June 2, and Hunter Greene is still months away from his return but is back in the Reds' clubhouse − a sign of progress.
But closer Emilio Pagán remains on the IL, and Ashcraft joining him there deprived the team of another premium relief option.
Cincinnati will attempt to even its three-game set with Atlanta on Saturday, May 30 with right-handed Brady Singer (2-4, 6.26 ERA) scheduled to face lefty Martin Perez (2-3, 2.70 ERA). The game at Great American Ball Park is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. first pitch.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds bullpen lets close game get away in loss to Atlanta Brave
Continue reading...
