CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds bounced back from an earlier loss by shutting out the Cleveland Guardians 2-0 Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park, earning a split of the day-night doubleheader.
Runs were hard to come by in the nightcap, as both teams managed just three hits apiece.
JJ Bleday provided all the offense Cincinnati needed in the first inning, launching a solo home run to right field, his 18th of the season.
The Reds added an insurance run in the fifth when Dane Myers scored from third on a wild pitch by Cleveland starter Gavin Williams, extending the lead to 2-0.
Cincinnati's bullpen took care of the rest. Carson Ferguson, Julian Garcia, Jorge Franco, Ian Antone and Emilio Pagán combined to hold the Guardians scoreless on just three hits while striking out seven. Franco earned his first win of the season, and Pagán picked up his 11th save.
The defensive play of the night came on the game's final pitch when Dane Myers raced to the wall in right-center field and made a leaping catch into the wall to rob Petey Halpin of extra bases, sealing the victory.
The Reds and Guardians will meet again Wednesday night in the rubber match of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m with pregame coverage starting at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.
