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The Cincinnati Reds’ pitching depth stands to get deeper, but its series opener against the Colorado Rockies underscored that the starting point for the club’s pitching in 2026 was still plenty deep.
Chase Burns plowed through six innings, striking out nine in the April 28 game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park. The third out of the top of the first inning marked 100 career strikeouts for Burns, making him the fastest Reds pitcher to reach the century mark.
Burns exited the game with Cincinnati leading, 4-2. Cincinnati went on to win 7-2, improving to 19-10 this season and remaining atop the National League Central division.
“When they had runners in scoring position, even when we played back because we had a lead, then he (Burns) took it upon himself to go for the strikeout,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “He kind of reached back and threw some really good sliders.”
Burns’ record improved to 3-1. Reds starters are a combined 10-7 this season.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds led 4-1 after three innings.
Cincinnati’s bullpen took down the last three innings in scoreless fashion, improving upon their collective 2.91 ERA, which was already the second-best bullpen ERA in the majors. With the score still 4-2, Graham Ashcraft worked through traffic to record a scoreless seventh inning and Tony Santillan also worked around baserunners to blank the Rockies in the eighth.
Then, with Emilio Pagán warming in the bullpen for a would-be save situation, Cincinnati’s offense blew the game open with a three-run bottom of the eighth. Brock Burke was then selected to record the final three outs, which he did after allowing a leadoff single.
“This pitching staff’s gotten really close with Brady (Singer) becoming our elder,” Burns said. “(Andrew) Abbott, Rhett (Lowder), we’re a really close starting rotation, and we’re just going out there and competing.”
Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo progressing from injury
The strength of Reds pitching had much to do with the club’s 19-10 start, and powerful reinforcements are coming in the form of staff ace Hunter Greene and starter Nick Lodolo. Francona discussed the progress of both players from their respective injury issues prior to the series opener against the Rockies.
Pitching April 26 for the Reds‘ High-A affiliate in Dayton, Lodolo (left index finger blister) went five innings on a day when he was scheduled to pitch four. He tossed 39 strikes on 51 pitches, allowing just two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Francona said on April 28 that Lodolo included eight breaking balls in his 51 pitches.
Lodolo is scheduled to pitch again May 2 for Triple-A Louisville against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Francona said the team would assess Lodolo’s status following that outing.
“The boys are playing great, you know?” Lodolo said. “Definitely, when we’re winning games and you’re not a part of it, definitely makes it a lot, I don’t want to say easier, but it definitely helps to watch us do what we’re doing. Just happy that we are in a good spot. I’m excited to get back. In spring training, I never would have guessed it would take this long, you know? I thought in my first rehab start, I was good. I got to my 40th pitch and thought I was good. I was like, ‘Man, this is great. Five days from now, I’m gonna be starting in Miami.’
“It’s unfortunate but it’s the spot I’m in, so the timing of the injury kind of sucks, too, because it put me in a spot where I had to completely rebuild whereas last year (in August on the injured list), I didn’t have to do that. I took my 15 days and jumped right back in line. So, it’s definitely taken longer from the standpoint that I’ve had to build up like spring training in a way.”
Greene is still projected for a return around or after the mid-July All-Star break. For now, he’s still working out of the club’s Goodyear, Arizona, Player Development Complex, and on April 28 was throwing from about 110 feet, Francona said.
Greene was roughly three weeks from his first bullpen session, Francona said. It was still to be determined when Greene would rejoin the Reds in Cincinnati to continue his return from spring surgery on his throwing elbow.
“For sure, once he starts to throw hiss bullpens, we’d definitely like to get him here. We’re kind of working through that now,” Francona said. “It’s nice to have guys around. It really is, and it’s probably good for him. Same time, he can get one-on-one… The hands-on treatment they get there is so good that we’ll probably encourage him to stay there a little bit. At least until his bullpens.”
Elly De La Cruz aids Chase Burns, Reds’ bullpen with four RBI’s
Elly De La Cruz provided all the offense Burns and the bullpen would need against the Rockies. He had two RBI singles − one in the first inning and another in the third − and lined a two-run home run in the eighth inning that put the game out of Colorado’s reach.
Spencer Steer helped put the Reds up, 3-0, in the first inning when he clapped a no-doubt homer to right field.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) hits an RBI single to center field, scoring Dane Myers from second base, in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds led 4-1 after three innings.
De La Cruz lined a single up the middle in the third inning. The Reds didn’t score again until the All-Star shortstop’s 10th homer of 2026. Nathaniel Lowe capped the scoring in the eighth with an RBI single to plate Sal Stewart, who reached on a ground-rule double.
Reds go for fifth straight series win
A victory April 29 would make five consecutive series wins for Cincinnati, and it will send out lefty starter Brandon Williamson (2-2, 5.40 ERA) to accomplish the feat. Williamson is scheduled to be opposed by right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (2-1, 3.42 ERA).
The game at Great American Ball Park is scheduled for a 6:40 p.m. first pitch.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds defeat Colorado Rockies, showing off pitching depth