Greene K's 8 to wrap dominant stretch run

CINCINNATI -- While Hunter Greene was on the injured list for 43 days, the Reds felt it was important for the starting pitcher to return and finish the year despite the club being out of playoff contention. They wanted Greene to experience completing his rookie season to build his innings load and have something positive to carry into the next one.

Mission accomplished.

In a 3-1 Reds victory over the Cubs on Monday at Great American Ball Park that snapped a six-game losing streak, Greene delivered six shutout innings with two hits, one walk and eight strikeouts. In his final four starts -- all after returning from a right shoulder strain -- the 23-year-old posted a 0.78 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 23 innings.

“I put so much work in during that time off. To be able to see it pay off is always a good feeling," Greene said. "Really excited to take everything into the offseason. There’s still a lot more work to do, a lot of work. I’m looking forward to that, embracing it and I can’t wait for next year.”

"There is just a lot to be said for finishing a Major League season and knowing you can do that, pitching all the way to the end -- and pitching well," Reds manager David Bell said. "I really couldn’t have drawn up a better first season for a lot of our guys and Hunter, for sure."

Here is a breakdown from Greene's night vs. the Cubs:

• According to Statcast, Greene averaged 100.1 mph on his four-seam fastball, throwing it 60 times, including 34 at 100 mph or faster. The pitch induced 35 swings and 12 whiffs along with 13 called strikes. His fastest pitch clocked in at 101.9 mph to strike out Seiya Suzuki to end the top of the first inning.

• Seven of Greene's eight K's came via the fastball, all at 100 mph or higher. He set the tone for the night by striking out each of his first four batters, and he had seven strikeouts through three innings.

• Greene threw his slider 27 times and got 12 swings and two misses. He used his work-in-progress pitch -- the changeup -- just three times.

• Greene threw first-pitch strikes to 17 of his 21 batters.

"I've seen him pitch more than throw lately," said Reds catcher Austin Romine, who caught each of Greene's last four starts. "There's an emphasis on sliders and working changeups in there, so he's pitching more and when you've got 102 and pitching, it's going to help out a little bit."

Following a leadoff double by Yan Gomes in the third inning for Chicago's first hit, Greene retired his next 10 batters. His first jam came in the 6th, when Zach McKinstry hit a one-out single to center field and Esteban Quiroz was hit by a pitch. A double steal put both runners into scoring position. With the Reds holding a 2-0 lead, a single could tie the game.

Up came Suzuki, who hit a 103.5 mph line drive to shortstop Jose Barrero. After a nice snag, Barrero threw to second base before Quiroz dove back for an inning-ending double play.

Greene applauded his teammate as he walked off the mound.

"Finished as strong as you possibly can," Bell said. "Really, the end of just a really successful first season for Hunter in every way. It was nice to get him out without giving up a run. Jose helped out a little bit, great play on that line drive to get the double play there. It’s kind of nice to get help every now and then, but really other than that, Hunter pretty much dominated with his fastball and he just attacked the hitters, attacked the zone."

In his 24 starts, Greene finished 5-13 with a 4.44 ERA and a team-leading 164 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings. At one point, he led the Major Leagues in home runs allowed -- including 23 in 18 starts before the All-Star break. But in six starts after the break, Greene allowed only one homer.

"Just continuing to grow," Greene said. "I know that I throw hard and if you square up with it, it is what it is. I'm supplying a lot of that power. We're playing in the big leagues, it's the best players in the world. I get it, but being able to keep these guys off-balance and learn who I am as a pitcher helped with that second stretch."