Sept. 20—Rookie Blake Dunn will try to continue giving the Reds a reason to stay on the field when Cincinnati opens a three-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.
The Reds (74-80) are officially out of the playoff race after losing 7-1 to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. Things got worse a day later when Cincinnati hit six home runs but lost to Atlanta 15-3.
But Dunn was one of the Reds’ few bright spots in this setback, hitting his first career major league home run in a three-on-two game. He walked once, scored three times and stole two bases.
Cincinnati head coach David Bell hopes Dunn can help boost the Reds’ morale in the upcoming games.
“He was doing pretty well (in the Minors at Triple-A Louisville) before coming back to us,” Bell said. “There’s not a lot of playing time. He (and) the other guys that didn’t play did a good job of getting ready … We like Blake Dunn a lot, so we’re excited about the move to add him.”
Right-hander Nick Martinez (9-6, 3.37 ERA) will get some action Friday, making his 41st appearance (15th start) of the season for the Reds.
Martinez, 34, has won each of his last three starts, most recently allowing one run on three hits in six innings with the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.
In his career against Pittsburgh, Martinez is 0–1 with an 11.12 ERA in five games (one start).
The Buccaneers (72-81) plan to counter with righty Mitch Keller (11-10, 3.87), who has missed three consecutive sacks.
Keller allowed four runs (three earned) and four hits in six innings in a loss to the Kansas City Royals last Saturday. Keller, 28, has started 16 career games against Cincinnati and is 3-4 with a 5.40 ERA.
Like the Reds, Pittsburgh is trying to bring some good cheer to the offseason. The Pirates’ 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday should help, as the Pirates tied the game 2-2 in the seventh inning before Nick Gonzalez hit an RBI single to lead off the eighth.
In four games with St. Louis, Gonzalez went 5 for 12 (.417) with two doubles, a triple, two runs and an RBI. He played in three of those games.
“It was nice to finish the game strong,” Gonzalez said. “I’m just trying to give it my all. All year you’re going to have ups and downs. I’m going to do my best to minimize the impact. Try to stay locked in.”
Infielder Jarred Triolo has also been strong for Pittsburgh, notching eight hits in his last 10 games. During that span, he went 11-for-34 (.324) with a home run, an RBI and five runs.
Friday marked the 11th meeting between the two teams this year; the Buccaneers win the season series with a 7-3 lead over Cincinnati.
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