All eyes have been on the Cincinnati Reds' rookie batters this season, but it was their fresh-faced southpaw who got the job done Thursday.
Right-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott tossed eight scoreless innings in the Reds' series finale against the San Francisco Giants, powering his team to a 5-1 win at Great American Ball Park. The 24-year-old only allowed one hit and two walks, all while striking out six Giants.
Abbott improved to 5-2 on the season, dropping his ERA to 2.10 and his WHIP to 0.916 in the process. Nine appearances into his major league career, Abbott has already racked up seven quality starts.
The only hit Abbott gave up Thursday was to center fielder Luis Matos, who stepped up to the plate with two outs and a man on first in the top of the fourth inning. Matos roped a line drive that just cleared left fielder Will Benson's glove, and he was able to stretch it out into a double.
First baseman Wilmer Flores tried to score all the way from first on the play, but Abbott's defense had his back.
Benson tossed the ball in to shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who rifled a record-breaking 99.8 mile-per-hour rocket to home plate. The throw was there in time, and Cincinnati escaped the frame unscathed.
Abbott did not allow another baserunner for the rest of his outing.
The Reds, on the other hand, got a two-run home run from catcher Luke Maile in the third inning and never looked back. Benson, designated hitter Christian Encarnacion-Strand and second baseman Jonathan India all picked up RBI of their own in the fourth and fifth innings.
Maile led all players with three hits on the day, while India, Benson and right fielder Jake Fraley also notched multi-hit performances.
Right-hander Derek Law relieved Abbott in the top of the ninth inning. Law gave up a solo home run to Flores, but he still struck out two batters and managed to close out the Reds' win.
Cincinnati will remain at home for its upcoming three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which starts Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
While Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is the heavy favorite to take home NL Rookie of the Year, the Reds boast five of the top nine contenders for the award, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. De La Cruz ranks second, middle infielder Matt McLain ranks fourth, corner infielder Spencer Steer ranks sixth, Abbott ranks seventh and Encarnacion-Strand ranks ninth.
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