Andrew Abbott pitched a three-hitter for his first career complete game and Spencer Steer had an RBI single in the fifth inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.
Abbott (6-1) struck out five and walked one in a 110-pitch gem, bouncing back from his first loss on June 4 against Milwaukee. It was the first nine-inning shutout by a Cincinnati pitcher since Wade Miley no-hit Cleveland on May 7, 2021, also at Progressive Field.
Steer’s sharp single to right in the fifth off Slade Cecconi (1-3) plated Will Benson, but the Reds’ potential big inning was thwarted by back-to-back lunging catches by Guardians first baseman Carlos Santana in foul territory.
The Reds have won five straight, along with the first five games of the “Ohio Cup” season series, in manager Terry Francona’s homecoming to Cleveland.
Cecconi matched his career high with eight strikeouts in five innings. The right-hander allowed four hits, but the Guardians fell to 1-4 on their homestand and 5-10 since May 25.
Guardians third baseman José Ramírez singled in the ninth, extending his on-base streak to 36 games. It is the longest for the franchise since Jason Kipnis’ 36-gamer in 2013.
