PITTSBURGH -- Right-hander Nick Martinez did just about everything he could through six innings to put the Reds in a position to secure a series victory on Tuesday night.
The bats just never got going.
Martinez fired six innings of one-run ball in Cincinnati’s 1-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park, ending the team’s five-game winning streak. Martinez and Pittsburgh lefty Bailey Falter took turns putting up zeros on the scoreboard deep into the middle innings, but the Cincinnati hurler ran into control issues in the sixth, allowing Pittsburgh to push ahead with the game’s lone run.
Still, even with his command beginning to slip in the sixth, Martinez nearly worked out of trouble. After issuing a one-out walk to Pirates speedster Oneil Cruz -- Martinez’s first free pass since the first inning -- the Reds had an opportunity to snuff out the threat after correctly calling for a pitchout on his ensuing stolen-base attempt.
Cruz took off from first base just as Martinez and the Reds had predicted, but catcher Jose Trevino was unable to transfer the ball from his glove to his right hand cleanly, allowing Cruz to reach safely without a throw.
Martinez then hit Andrew McCutchen in the left wrist and allowed an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds, allowing Cruz to fly around from second base and score. Martinez’s night ended after navigating out of the frame via a 6-4-3 double play. The earned run broke Martinez’s streak of 13 consecutive scoreless innings. It was a tiny blip on what has been a fantastic stretch of pitching for the 34-year-old, lowering his May ERA to 1.80.
“I know I had a couple walks tonight, but still felt like I was challenging guys and throwing in the zone,” Martinez said. “That’s really what I’m trying to do the whole time. [Trevino] did a great job driving the bus today. Just one of those nights [where] Falter threw better than I did."
Martinez’s final line showed just four hits, a pair of walks and three strikeouts on 91 pitches (51 strikes).
“Walks are no good, and I hit a guy,” he said. “I had to face a tough hitter, can't really do that.”
The Reds’ offense accounted for just five hits, three of which were singles. Its best chance at a rally came in the opening moments of the game, when TJ Friedl drove a ball off the right-field wall, caroming back onto the outfield grass far enough for Friedl to reach third for a triple. Falter went on to retire Santiago Espinal, Elly De La Cruz and Austin Hayes in succession to keep Cincinnati off the board.
Martinez's outing marked his fifth consecutive quality start, tied for the longest streak of his career. A big part of his recent success has been his ability to keep the ball on the ground. Martinez forced six ground-ball outs, including three double plays to halt Pirates rallies after allowing leadoff baserunners. He also ranks in the 86th percentile across MLB in walk percentage (5.3 percent), showcasing his command and confidence to go right after opposing bats.
“It’s been more than two [starts]. I just think he’s been sharp,” Reds manager Terry Francona said.
Cincinnati’s impressive homegrown core of Hunter Greene (drafted in 2017), Nick Lodolo (drafted in ‘19) and Andrew Abbott (drafted in ‘21) have received the bulk of attention, but the consistency that Martinez has shown at the back end of the rotation has been just as impressive.
“I think the whole staff is throwing the ball really well,” Martinez said.
Martinez has helped Cincinnati’s rotation rank ninth in MLB in ERA (3.61), fourth in WHIP (1.15) and tied for sixth in opponents' batting average (.231).
“We’re playing good baseball, really,” Martinez said. “We’re playing good baseball right now and we just didn't come out on top today, but we’ve just got to keep pushing.”