Nick Martinez pitched eight no-hit innings and Spencer Steer clubbed three homers as the Reds beat the San Diego Padres 8-1 last night at Great American Ball Park in a game heard on WRBI. Martinez took a no-hitter into the top of the 9th before surrendering a leadoff walk and a double to left center field. Before the walk to start the 9th, Martinez retired 22 straight Padre hitters. Offensively, Spencer Steer hit a career-high three home runs. He now has nine round trippers on the year. The middle game is this afternoon, when lefthander Andrew Abbott starts for Cincinnati. He’ll be opposed by San Diego righthander Randy Vasquez. The Reds are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1975-1976 Big Red Machine this weekend. Prior to this afternoon’s game, the Reds will honor those back-to-back World Series champions in a pre-game ceremony. You’ll hear that pregame ceremony – the special airtime is 3:25 on 103.9 FM.
Before last night’s game, the Reds activated outfielder Austin Hays from the injured list. He had been out since late May with a bone bruise on his left foot. In a corresponding move, outfielder Jake Fraley was placed on the 10-day IL with a right shoulder injury, retroactive to Tuesday.
The Indiana Fever knocked off the host Dallas Wings 94-86 in WNBA action last night. Kelsey Mitchell poured in a season-high 32 points. Natasha Howard recorded a double-double. She scored 15 and grabbed 13 rebounds. It was also Fever coach Stephanie White’s 100th career win. Indiana squares its record at 8-8.
