Andrew Abbott tossed seven scoreless innings and the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of two key errors in a two-run second inning to earn a much-needed 2-0 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
Abbott (3-4) allowed just four singles and didn’t allow a baserunner to reach third base in winning for the second time in his last seven starts, despite allowing just five runs over 24 innings in May.
Fernando Cruz pitched a scoreless eighth and Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances.
Elly De La Cruz doubled home one of two unearned runs in the second inning for the Reds. De La Cruz added an infield single as Cincinnati collected only three hits and won for just the sixth time in 24 games.
The Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. singled in the first inning for his 500th career hit. San Diego right-hander Joe Musgrove gave up two unearned runs on three hits over three innings while throwing 66 pitches in his return from the injured list.
The injury-riddled Reds lost right fielder Jake Fraley after he was hit on the right hand by a Musgrove pitch in the bottom of the first. Fraley remained in the game to run the bases but was removed prior to the top of the second.
The Reds announced during the game that X-rays were negative, but that Fraley had swelling and will undergo further tests Wednesday.
In the second inning, Cincinnati scored its first run on a play where it appeared another regular could be lost to injury.
After a walk to Jonathan India and a Will Benson single, Musgrove threw wildly on a pickoff throw to second base, allowing both runners to advance.
Jacob Hurtubise lifted a shallow fly to left fielder Jurickson Profar, who made an accurate throw home that easily beat India. But catcher Luis Campusano dropped the ball for an error, allowing India to score.
On the play, Campusano stepped on India’s left calf, but he remained in the game.
Musgrove (3-4) lasted just three innings, allowing three hits and two runs – both unearned — and took the loss for San Diego.
–Field Level Media
