Reds’ Nick Martinez talks perfect relief outing, huge win over Cubs
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez retired all seven batters he faced to help the Reds beat the Cubs 1-0 and catch the Mets in the NL playoff race.
The Cincinnati Reds completed a four-game series sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 21 with a four-pitcher 1-0 shutout.The Reds caught the Mets in the race for the final NL wild card, but hold the playoff position by virtue of their holding the tiebreaker over New York.The Reds are off on Sept. 22 before starting a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on Sept. 23.
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New York, Shnew York.
The Cincinnati Reds are in the driver’s seat for the final National League playoff berth.
When the Reds held on for a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs for their fifth straight victory on Sept. 21, they moved into playoff position for the first time since April.
That victory, combined with the New York Mets’ second straight loss to the Washington Nationals, forged a tie between the Mets and Reds for the NL’s third wild-card spot with six games to play.
The Reds own the tiebreaker against the Mets because of their 4-2 record against them, which means the Reds control their own playoff path as they head into the final two series against the Pirates at home and Brewers on the road.
The Reds’ four-game sweep of the Cubs gave them six wins in their last seven since a rough series against the Athletics in Sacramento.
Their five-game winning streak ties season high.
“We’ve had a lot of tough losses. I mean, we got swept out in Sacramento,” manager Terry Francona said before Sunday’s game. “You better come back and play. You don’t know what’s too much or too little. That’s why just play the best you can. That’s the best way I know how to do it.”
Matt McLain, who has heated up down the stretch after struggling all season, doubled with one out in the third and scored on Gavin Lux’s two-out double for the only run of the game.
Starter Andrew Abbott labored for 86 pitches over 4 2/3 innings before giving way to Nick Martinez, who retired all seven batters he faced.
It was the Reds’ eighth 1-0 game – most in the majors – and second against the Cubs in the series. They’re 4-4 in those games.
Francona, who has managed 11 playoff teams, three pennant winners and two World Series champs in his career, described the rush of this time of the season for him.
“Damn, man, I’m not a big drug user, but I’m guessing this is probably what it feels like,” he said.