Abbott gives Reds a much-needed quality start to end strong homestand

CINCINNATI -- In the wake of another injury to a starter, the Reds' rotation needed a boost. The starter who gave it to them on Thursday vs. the Rockies needed one for himself, too.

Andrew Abbott delivered a quality start, got quality defense and was lifted by a pair of home runs to secure a 6-4 Cincinnati victory that gave the club two of three games in the series at Great American Ball Park. The Reds (20-11) also completed a 4-2 homestand and have won 11 of their last 15 games.

Over his six innings, Abbott allowed two runs, five hits and two walks while notching five strikeouts for his first victory of 2026. It came following pregame news that Brandon Williamson became the third starter to go on the injured list this season.

Abbott came into the game with some unwanted statistical baggage, including an 0-2 record and a 6.59 ERA. He hadn't worked at least six innings in his previous five starts while posting an 8.34 ERA since he went six scoreless for a no-decision vs. the Red Sox on Opening Day.

In the top of the first inning, Colorado took a quick 2-0 lead. Abbott walked Brenton Doyle with one out and then saw his 2-1 fastball to Tyler Freeman hit for a two-out, two-run home run.

Abbott settled from there, but he also benefited from some sterling defense. Playing up the middle, shortstop Elly De La Cruz made a nice diving stop on TJ Rumfield's slow grounder for the first out. Kyle Karros was then foiled when third baseman Sal Stewart plucked a sharp line drive to his left.

In the top of the fifth, Abbott then helped himself after three singles -- including two in the infield -- loaded the bases with one out. He worked out of the jam without giving up a run -- including striking out Hunter Goodman to end the inning.

Leading off the bottom of the second inning, Nathaniel Lowe hit a 0-1 changeup from former Red Michael Lorenzen for his fifth homer in his last six games since replacing the injured Eugenio Suárez in the starting lineup.

After Spencer Steer led off the Reds' fifth inning with a walk, TJ Friedl delivered a lead by hitting an 0-1 fastball from Lorenzen for a two-run homer to right field. Lowe returned in the sixth by hitting a one-out double to right field to end Lorenzen's day and scored on a two-out RBI single to left by Steer against Antonio Senzatela.