MIAMI -- Brandon Williamson came into Monday night’s start with one thing on his mind: control the game without overthinking it. The result was a 6 2/3-inning scoreless performance that led the Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Marlins at loanDepot park.
After giving up six runs on six hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings last Tuesday against the Pirates, Williamson credited the staff and his teammates for helping him reset mentally.
“Had some good conversations with staff and players here, leaning on them," Williamson said. “They definitely helped me find [the] mental state to perform today."
One conversation that resonated with Williamson came with Emilio Pagán, who helped reinforce the importance of staying the course rather than trying to make drastic changes.
“We didn't necessarily start how we wanted to," Williamson said. “And it was, 'Do you change? Do you try and fix something? Or do you just keep going and trust that you can do it?'"
Williamson (1-1) responded by holding the Marlins to three hits, striking out four and walking one. He retired nine of the final 11 batters he faced, relying on a mix of his changeup, cutter and fastball to keep hitters off balance.
“I was on attack mode when I was pitching, and I felt physically and mentally [like] I was in a good space to play offense. ‘Here it is, try and hit it,’” Williamson said.
The left-hander threw 93 pitches, 59 for strikes, with his changeup producing a 64% whiff rate. One of the real threats to the shutout came on a triple in the bottom of the sixth by Marlins catcher Agustín Ramírez, who hit a ball off the top of the right-field fence. The play was reviewed by the umpires, and the on-field ruling of triple was upheld.
“They hit the one ball to the right that probably stayed in by about two inches," Reds manager Terry Francona said. “That would have tied the game. But other than that, he changed speeds, he spun it, he threw his fastball, he worked ahead."
Cincinnati’s offense provided just enough support. The Reds struck first in the fourth when Sal Stewart singled to drive in Elly De La Cruz. Tyler Stephenson added an insurance run with a solo homer to left in the eighth.
“Our guys played to the scoreboard really well. ... Elly may lose some stolen bases with Sal hitting. That's OK, because when you got Elly running and Sal hitting, it should be in our favor,” Francona said.
After Williamson exited with one out in the sixth, the bullpen preserved the shutout, with Brock Burke, Tony Santillan and Pagán providing scoreless relief.
The victory keeps the Reds unbeaten in tight contests this season, improving to 7-0 in games decided by two runs or fewer. Cincinnati’s pitching staff now has a 2.93 ERA, ranking fifth in MLB behind the Braves, Yankees, Mets and Mariners.
Williamson's gem lowered the Reds' starting pitchers' ERA to 3.00 (also fifth in MLB), coming on the heels of Rhett Lowder's scoreless six-inning start on Saturday and Chase Burns allowing just one run in six frames on Sunday. This marks the first time Cincinnati has had three starters combine for at least 18 2/3 innings and one or fewer earned runs over a three-game span since Hunter Greene (seven scoreless frames), Graham Ashcraft (one run in 4 2/3 innings) and Andrew Abbott (seven scoreless) did so July 6-8, 2024.
Making just his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery following an ulnar collateral ligament tear, Williamson said he is simply enjoying being back with the team.
“Feels great. I haven't been in a clubhouse in a long time, so to come in and the first few weeks we play well, it really feels good. It feels like...in 2023, when we’re trying to make a [playoff] run,” Williamson said.