After the Reds won their season opener on Thursday against the defending world champion Braves, Cincy suffered a pair of one-run losses Friday and Saturday, but doubled up at Atlanta to earn the split.
On the Reds lost 7-6 to the Braves. Cincy starter Reiver Sanmartin struggled mightily lasting just 2-1/3 innings. He gave up five runs on four hits and five walks.
The Redlegs were down 7-zip after three and made a big comeback but came up a run short. Jake Fraley and Tyler Stephenson both drove in a pair of runs on two hits each. Kyle Farmer and Mike Moustakas knocked in a run apiece.
On Saturday, the Reds lost 2-1. Valdimir Gutierrez got the start for Cincy and gave up two runs in the first inning to the Braves. Atlanta never scored the rest of the night but, unfortunately, Cincinnati was held to one run on three hits by the Braves. The Reds run came in the ninth on an RBI single by Joey Votto which scored Tommy Pham.
Then on Sunday, Reds fans were treated to the long-awaited debut of top pitching prospect Hunter Greene, and the rookie fireballer did not disappoint. Cincinnati beat the Braves 6-3.
Greene got the win going five innings allowing three earned runs on four this with two walks and seven strikeouts. Twenty times, Greene’s fastball hit triple digits on the radar gun. Art Warren collected the save.
The Reds struck five times in the third inning. Ribbies in the frame came from a Tyler Naquin double, a Nick Senzel ground out, a Colin Moran single, and a two RBI base hit by Kyle Farmer. Tyler Stephenson added a solo home run in the fifth.
The Reds will host Cleveland on Tuesday in their home opener and will also entertain the Guardians on Wednesday in a short two-game series. Tuesday’s airtime is 3:40 pm with a 4:10 pm first pitch. Listen to the game on 103.9 WRBI.