Postgame Takeaways: Nick Martinez Struggles, Reds Fall to Mariners 5-3

The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) fell to the Seattle Mariners (9-9) 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Here are our postgame takeaways:

Martinez Struggles

The Mariners scored a run in four of the first five innings off of Nick Martinez to take a 4-0 lead. Martinez gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked three batters and struck out four.

Martinez has an ERA of 6.00 so far this year and the Reds are 0-4 in games that he has started this season.

10 Hits, but Just Three Runs

The Reds used a three-run seventh inning to get back into the game and cut the Mariners' lead to 5-3.

Gavin Lux and Specer Steer singled. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a two-RBI double to left field, breaking his 0-16 skid at the plate.

Jose Trevino added an RBI single, but Matt McLain grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the rally.

De La Cruz reached base to lead off the eighth inning, but was called out when he tried to steal after Hays struck out due to batter's interference.

The Reds went down in order in the ninth.

News and Notes

• Spencer Steer snapped a 0-19 skid at the plate with a single in the seventh.
• Christian Encarnacion-Strand snapped a 0-16 skid with a double in the seventh.
• TJ Friedl and Jose Trevino each had two hits.
• The Reds were 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
• Elly De La Cruz stole a base, was caught stealing, and had an error.

Up Next

The Reds face the Mariners in the series finale at 12:40 ET on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Brady Singer will start on the mound for Cincinnati.