PITTSBURGH Reds right-hander Nick Martinez delivered another strong outing Tuesday night, but Cincinnati’s offense couldn’t support him in a narrow 1-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park, snapping the team’s five-game winning streak.
Martinez threw six innings of one-run ball, marking his fifth straight quality start. He dueled with Pittsburgh’s Bailey Falter through the early frames, with both pitchers keeping the scoreboard quiet. However, Martinez ran into trouble in the sixth inning.
After walking Oneil Cruz his first walk since the first inning the Reds correctly anticipated a steal attempt and called a pitchout. Cruz took off as expected, but catcher Jose Trevino mishandled the transfer, allowing Cruz to steal second without a throw. Martinez then hit Andrew McCutchen and gave up an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds, allowing Cruz to score the game’s only run. Despite the hiccup, Martinez escaped the inning with a double play.
The earned run ended Martinez’s streak of 13 scoreless innings but didn’t take away from what has been a stellar May. The 34-year-old now has a 1.80 ERA for the month.
“I know I gave up a couple walks, but I felt like I was still attacking hitters,” Martinez said. “Trevino called a great game. Falter was just a little better tonight.”
