Andrew Abbott turned the page from a challenging spring training to deliver a stellar Opening Day performance for the Cincinnati Reds, pitching six shutout innings. But his efforts were overshadowed by the Boston Red Sox's pitching clinic, culminating in a 3-0 victory to kick off the season.
Abbott and Garrett Crochet were locked in a pitchers' duel, keeping the scoreboard clean through the first four innings. The tension rose in the fifth when the Red Sox threatened with two infield hits.
A blistering 110.2 MPH line drive hit Sal Stewart, but he shook it off and stayed in the game. Abbott, unfazed, struck out Trevor Story and Jarren Duran to escape the jam unscathed.
The Reds showed signs of life in their half of the fifth. Matt McLain worked a one-out walk, followed by Elly De La Cruz's single to center.
Sal Stewart then loaded the bases with a single to right. However, the Reds couldn't capitalize, as the next two batters struck out, leaving the game scoreless.
Pierce Johnson took the mound for Cincinnati in the seventh but quickly found trouble. Marcelo Meyer led off with a double, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on Ceddanne Rafaela’s single, giving Boston a 1-0 lead. Johnson's brief outing ended after just three batters, and Sam Moll came in to shut down the inning with a strikeout and a groundout.
The Red Sox bullpen took over in the seventh, with Justin Slaten walking Tyler Stephenson. In a strategic move, Terry Francona opted for Will Benson against the right-handed Slaten, despite Benson's lower OPS against righties. The gamble didn't pay off, as Benson struck out, and Slaten maintained the slim lead.
Sam Moll and Graham Ashcraft kept Boston quiet in the eighth, while Sal Stewart tried to spark the Reds with a two-out ground-rule double. Unfortunately, Eugenio Suarez struck out, leaving Stewart stranded.
Connor Phillips pitched the ninth for the Reds but ran into trouble after a leadoff single. He nearly escaped with a called strike three, but Roman Anthony's successful challenge turned it into a walk.
Trevor Story then delivered a clutch single, extending Boston's lead to 2-0. Brock Burke relieved Phillips, but Jarren Duran's RBI single padded the lead to 3-0 before Burke closed the inning.
Aroldis Chapman faced his former team in the bottom of the ninth and efficiently retired the side with three fly outs, securing the win for Boston.
Key Moment of the Game
Ceddanne Rafaela's RBI single in the seventh broke the deadlock and proved to be the decisive blow Boston needed.
Notes Worth Noting
Andrew Abbott's six-inning shutout performance was impressive, with seven hits allowed-four of which were infield singles. He induced seven groundouts and only one fly ball out.
Sal Stewart shined with three hits, including two doubles, becoming the first Reds rookie to notch three hits on Opening Day. The rest of the team managed just one hit in 28 at-bats.
The Reds' pitching staff recorded 11 ground ball outs, showcasing their ability to keep the ball down.