The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Colorado Rockies 8-1 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep at Coors Field. The win finished a nine-game road trip for the Reds with a 6-3 record.
Left-hander Nick Lodolo delivered a strong start for Cincinnati. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while striking out nine batters. He walked one and hit a batter.
Lodolo carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. The bid sought to become the second no-hitter in the 30-year history of the ballpark, following Hideo Nomo's effort in 1996. Nomo no-hitter
With two outs in the sixth, Jordan Beck hit a grounder to shortstop Elly De La Cruz. De La Cruz stopped the ball but his throw pulled first baseman Spencer Steer off the base. The umpire called Beck safe. (Source)
The Reds requested a challenge on the play. After review, replay officials upheld the safe call, giving the Rockies their first hit of the game. Game day box score
Reds manager Terry Francona said he decided to challenge because the replay person was taking a long time, indicating it was close. Rockies manager Bud Black felt the throw drew Steer off, suggesting it could have been scored an error. Catcher Jose Trevino noted that when Lodolo missed locations, it was in the right spots.
A second hit against Lodolo came in the seventh when Kyle Farmer hit a slow roller that stayed fair near the third base bag.
With the sweep, the Reds improved their season record to 15-13 and hold second place in the National League Central division. The outcome of the Reds Game Today against Colorado contributes momentum as the team returns home.
Offensively, Noelvi Marte went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in. Austin Hays contributed two hits, two RBIs, and scored two runs. Since returning from injury on April 15, Hays is batting .388.
Cincinnati’s offense ranks tied for third in runs scored in MLB. The team's rotation ranks fifth in MLB with a 3.39 earned run average.
“The guys are really throwing the ball well and they’re keeping us in games," catcher Jose Trevino said. "We’re starting to pick it up a little bit.”
