CINCINNATI – April 3, 2023 – Tony Hounshell – BSN
There was a distinct worry that the fall-off from the top of the Cincinnati Reds rotation to its back-end would be precipitous. In Connor Overton’s first start of the season on Monday, those fears were certainly not allayed.
An early Overton meatball was clubbed for a 3-run homer by Cody Bellinger to put the Reds in a 3-0 hole against the Chicago Cubs that they eventually climbed out of completely, but Overton’s day ended early – his final line of 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, BB, 5 K on 80 pitches reads just as unispiring now as it did at the time.
Fortunately, Cincinnati’s offense put the screws to Drew Smyly offerings just as often as their counterparts did to Overton, with a 3-run blast by Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game Jason Vosler in the Bottom of the 5th putting the Reds over the top for good. The end result was a 7-6 victory.
Other Notes
• Jose Barrero singled in his lone PA, but he exited after reaching 1B while clearly unamused with the state of his hamstring. Vosler took over as a pinch-runner, the game changed, and we’re all hoping Barrero’s merely day to day and will be back in the lineup in short order.
• Kevin Newman played some pretty splendid defense at short today, which seems relevant to mention following the previous Other Note. He also singled in a pair of runs, which is nice.
• Derek Law got the save in somewhat nervy fashion, allowing a pair of hits in the Top of the 9th before locking it down. Alexis Diaz had pitched on back to back days, hence why Law was summoned.
• The Reds and Cubs will go toe to toe again on Tuesday under the lights with yet another 6:40 PM ET start on the docket. Cincinnati will aim to put runs up on Hayden Wesneski while Luis Cessa will get his first crack in 2023 at showing the world he’s as capable as a starter as he is as a reliever.