Reds almost make history at Padres’ expense – with ex-Friar on mound too

const iframe document getElementById newspack-iframe-SXSM lMQk kf const timerId setInterval function iframe src iframe src iframe onload function clearInterval timerId The Reds were on the verge of making history twice Friday against the Padres and former Friar starter Nick Martinez played a big part The right-hander was three outs away from becoming the th pitcher in Reds franchise history to toss a no-hitter while first baseman Spencer Steer was one swing away from becoming the second Cincinnati player to homer four times in a event Thankfully for the Pads both Martinez and Steer fell short It was still a memorable night at Great American Ball Park as Cincinnati beat San Diego - for their eighth win in games The good news for the Friars June is almost over Martinez - didn t allow a hit until pinch-hitter Elias Diaz doubled off the left-center field wall in the ninth He matched his career high with pitches and struck out six Martinez who parted tactics with the Padres after the season retired straight batters between a walk in the first inning and another to Trenton Brooks to start the ninth It was the longest no-hit bid against the Padres since Arizona s Tyler Gilbert completed the feat on Aug It was a far cry from Martinez s last start on June when he allowed seven earned runs in innings in a - loss to the Twins His next two appearances came in relief tossing three scoreless innings My last start focus wasn t quite there got shelled which isn t fun the -year-old reported Coming out of the pen allowed me to simplify things It definitely helped me tonight Martinez came within three outs of the first no-hitter by a Reds pitcher since Wade Miley on May in a - win at Cleveland Hat s off to Nick he s a tough competitor man pitched us really tough manager Mike Shildt explained Padre starter Dylan Cease though had a rough night thanks to Steer who homered in the second inning and again in the fourth off him Steer then hit a two-run homer in the fifth off lefty Yuki Matsui He came to bat leading off the eighth but David Morgan struck him out on a - pitch With the tally being - and it being the eighth inning I can say that for the first time in my life I didn t want to walk Steer revealed I was trying to give myself a chance to hit a fourth You never know how several opportunities you ll get at that It s the first career three-homer meeting for Steer who has nine homers this season I ve seen four homers in this ballpark and I didn t want to see it again explained Shildt The only other Reds contestant to go deep four times in a event was Scooter Gennett on June against the Cardinals also at Great American Ball Park The possibility of a no-hitter and a four-homer championship on the same night seemed unlikely until Friday That would have been one hell of a night Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson declared The teams meet again at p m Saturday the second meeting of the Padres six-game trip