Cessa provides needed length amid rotation injuries

WASHINGTON -- Reds manager David Bell had a good feeling Luis Cessa could pitch more than the two innings he completed in his last start. And because of the club’s dire need for starting pitching due to recent injuries, they had to have more.

The veteran right-hander, who was added to the rotation last week, is being stretched out start-to-start. Last time out, Cessa threw 41 pitches over two innings in a loss at Philadelphia.

But in his third start of ‘22 on Saturday night at Nationals Park, the 30-year-old answered that wish from his skipper with a smooth four innings in an economical 57 pitches as the Reds took down the Nationals, 6-2.

"You really don't know what to expect having him become a starter at this point in the year," Bell said. "We know he is capable of it. He has done it before -- but really not knowing what he's going to be able to do tonight -- and he went out and pitched four innings, [it feels] really good.

"I think getting into that four-inning territory will help set him up to go even deeper next time."

Before the game, the club added veteran starter Chase Anderson, who has not pitched in the Majors since 2021 with the Phillies. The right-hander will start Monday’s game against the Cardinals.

Cessa and Anderson are now critical to a Reds pitching staff beset by injuries to four frontline starters in August: Hunter Greene (shoulder strain), Robert Dugger (shoulder discomfort), Graham Ashcraft (biceps discomfort) and T.J. Zeuch (back discomfort).

Cessa's four innings marked a season high, and he allowed only a solo homer -- to Lane Thomas in the second -- and three other singles, with no walks and one strikeout.

"I [am] excited for me," Cessa said. "I remember a little bit of how I [did it] when I [started] my career. Four innings, that's the goal for me today. Try to keep it like the most innings I can throw today because we have like 40 games left. Just try to [do the most] I can do for saving the bullpen. It was really good for me today."

The four innings pitched by Cessa were his most since June 30, 2019, while with the Yankees at Boston.

TJ Friedl led the Reds on offense with three hits, including a three-run blast -- only his second of the season -- to blow the game open. The homer came off lefty reliever Jake McGee in the sixth inning. Friedl, a lefty himself, is now hitting .364 off left-handed pitching this season.

"I was just looking for a pitch up in the zone that I could hit," Friedl said. "In that moment, I am just trying to get a job done, especially with two strikes. Once I get to two strikes, I kind of get in that mode where I’m just trying to get a good pitch to hit, at least get one run in and then go from there and see what else happens.

"I saw the slider early in the at-bat that I fought off and that last one, same pitch, just a little more on the plate, and put a good swing on it."

The center fielder finished 3-for-4, including a bunt single and three RBIs. Friedl also made a pair of outstanding line-drive catches in center field to rob Victor Robles and Keibert Ruiz of extra bases.

"What a game," Bell said. "The plays were great plays, incredible plays. Obviously, the defense just comes up big, bigger than we even give it credit for.

"The homer was just a huge hit in that game against the left-hander right there. Tough at-bat and he really came through. That was, in the end, the difference in the game."

Kyle Farmer and newly returning first baseman Colin Moran also cranked solo shots.

Moran, who last played for the Reds on June 11, hit his fifth homer of the season during Cincinnati's four-run sixth inning.

"It was great in his first game [to see that homer], traveled today, stepped up and played a solid game at first base -- another tough at-bat off a left-hander,” Bell said. “That is what he has done. He's had a nice, long, good career and was able to contribute for us tonight."