CINCINNATI -- Two rookies picked up a struggling Reds pitching staff and ended a stretch of deflating losses by a team plagued by blown leads this season.
First, right-hander Rhett Lowder delivered one of his best starts of the season. Then, starting pitching prospect Chase Petty (Cincinnati’s No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline) made an unexpected high-leverage relief appearance and got through the heart of the Diamondbacks’ lineup to strand two runners in the seventh inning and also gave the Reds a scoreless eighth.
“Great job. They kept us in the game,” center fielder Noelvi Marte said about the rookie pitchers through interpreter Tomás Vera. “They both have the talent to really help us.”
Marte hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning for a 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park. With the win, Cincinnati broke a string of seven losses in eight games and 11 in the last 14 games.
Lowder set the tone with an impressive start.
“To get him out close to 100 pitches, that was really good,” manager Terry Francona said. “To have him feel good [about it], that’s even more important.”
Lowder returned to form after missing time due to a right shoulder injury and then shaking off some rust. Lowder went on the injured list on May 13 and returned in early June, but he then struggled with command in a disappointing return to the active roster in the Reds’ 5-3 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Lowder was aggressive, efficient and effective on Saturday against the Diamondbacks, pitching at the level that he was at throughout April this season. He allowed one run on five hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings and struck out six before passing the baton to lefty Caleb Ferguson with two outs in the sixth inning.
“It was good to get back out there and have free reign,” Lowder said. “I was anticipating them trying to wait me out and get me in the zone, but the first couple of guys came out swinging. I had to change that plan. That felt good to do. We saw what they were trying to do and flipped it to do what we want.”
Petty, who picked up his first MLB win, entered the game in a situation he had never pitched in before. He took the mound in a tie game in the seventh inning with one out, two runners on and No. 3 hitter Gabriel Moreno at the plate. Petty was able to escape, providing critical outs in an unfamiliar situation for the 23-year-old who has spent most of the year in the Triple-A rotation. He then followed it up with a scoreless eighth inning, ending his appearance by getting All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte to ground out.
“When the phone rang, I made sure I was ready and as prepared as I could be to help the boys win,” Petty said. “I was happy to be able to do that today.”
Pitching out of the bullpen, Petty continued to use the four-pitch mix that he leans on in games he starts. His changeup was especially effective as he used it to get swing-and-miss, while he also showcased his velocity -- hitting 97.8 mph.
Petty credited a pregame conversation with his wife, Brooke, for helping him get ready for this opportunity.
“She said to be where my feet are and not worry about the past, and not worry about the future,” Petty said. “There’s only one moment that matters. That’s now. Just make sure that I’m going one step at a time, one breath at a time and make sure I’m the best version of myself.”