Louisville picked up another win behind Andrew Abbott’s eight strikeouts over five shutout innings, Noelvi Marte homered twice in Chattanooga’s win, Trey Faltine hit a huge home run to help lead Dayton to a win that saw Julian Aguiar strike out six batters in six shutout innings, and Hector Rodriguez picked up four hits as Daytona split a doubleheader.
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The Louisville Bats won 8-2. Box Score
- Will Benson went 1-3 with 2 walks, a home run (3), 2 runs, and 2 RBI.
- Elly De La Cruz went 1-5 with a triple and 3 RBI.
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand went 1-4.
- Matt Reynolds went 3-4 with 2 home runs (5).
- TJ Hopkins went 2-3 with a walk and a run.
- Chuckie Robinson went 1-4 with a run.
- Alejo Lopez went 2-3 with a walk, home run (3), and 2 runs.
- Andrew Abbott threw 5.0 shutout innings with 4 walks and 8 strikeouts.
- Ryan Nutof threw a shutout inning.
- Joel Kuhnel threw a perfect inning with a strikeout.
- Ricky Karcher threw a perfect inning with a strikeout.
The Chattanooga Lookouts won 6-4. Box Score
- Noelvi Marte went 2-5 with 2 home runs (8) and 3 RBI.
- Alex McGarry went 1-3 with a walk.
- Rece Hinds went 1-4.
- Quincy McAfee went 2-4 with a double and a run.
- Daniel Vellojin went 2-4 with a double, steal (1), run, and an RBI.
- Allan Cerda went 1-4 with a double, run, and 2 RBI.
- Lyon Richardson allowed a run in 3.2 innings with a walk and 6 strikeouts.
- Stevie Branche allowed a run in 2.0 innings with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.
The Dayton Dragons won 2-1. Box Score
- Blake Dunn went 2-4 with a steal (17).
- Austin Hendrick went 2-3 with a walk.
- Tyler Callihan went 1-4.
- Michael Trautwein went 1-3 with a double.
- Justice Thompson went 1-3 with a run.
- Trey Faltine went 1-3 with a 2-run home run (1).
- Julian Aguiar threw 6.0 shutout innings with a walk and 6 strikeouts.
- John Murphy threw 2.1 shutout innings with 2 strikeouts.
The Daytona Tortugas split a doubleheader.
Game 1: 5-4 loss. Box Score
- Hector Rodriguez went 4-4 with a double, triple, and 3 runs.
- Carlos Jorge went 2-3 with 3 RBI.
- Sal Stewart went 2-4.
- Victor Acosta went 2-3 with a run.
- Kevin Abel allowed a run in 2.0 innings with 5 strikeouts.
Game 2: 1-0 win. Box Score
- Yan Contreras went 1-3 with a steal (3).
- Logan Tanner went 1-3.
- Yassel Pino went 1-2 with a walk, steal (1), and a run.
- Malvin Valdez went 2-3 with a triple and an RBI.
- Yerlin Confidan went 1-3.
- Kenya Huggins threw 4.0 shutout innings with 4 strikeouts.
- Chris McElvain threw 3.0 hitless innings with a walk and 3 strikeouts.
5/20 Game Preview
| Team | Record | Time (ET) | Probable | Box Score | Listen | Watch |
| Louisville | 21-21 | 7:15pm | Wynne | Here | Here | Here |
| Chattanooga | 18-18 | 7:15pm | Phillips | Here | Here | Here |
| Dayton | 17-20 | 7:05pm | Acuna | Here | Here | Here |
| Daytona | 15-22 | 4:00pm | Pelio | Here | Here | N/A |
Good night for Reds pitchers: Abbott, Richardson, Aguiar and Huggins.
I currently have Richardson and Aguiar at #12 and #15 in my rankings. Both are sending a message that they should be higher.
What is up with Huggins? First 6 games 10 IP, 14 BB, 13 ER. Last two starts: 7 IP 1 BB and 0 ER. I think Joe Boyle should fly down to Daytona and smoke some of what Huggins has been smoking. A couple of more starts like this and Huggins could move into my top 30.
I know Benson is no longer a prospect but if he were I would have him at #7 on my list. His OPS this month is 1.040.
Top offensive prospects Marte, Jorge and Hector Rodriguez had very good nights.
Hopefully Austin Hendrick and Daniel Vellojin are starting to come around. Statistically May has been good to Hendrick. His adj BABIP scares me a bit. His May has been fueled by singles.
Until Richardson goes 5+ innings routinely, I have trouble promoting him to AAA. I have been pleased with his stuff and understand he is coming back from injury causing his short outings.
I’d probably just let Richardson stay in AA all year. A win will be to have a long healthy season. Assuming he does well, promote him to AAA next spring.
I agree you two. No need to rush Richardson. Maybe have him in a role similar to that of Antone in the bullpen. Another idea is to bring him into games as an opener. That way there is not the worry about getting up and down day after day.
It was a good night on the farm. Lots of pitchers holding teams to limited offense. Very impressed by Abbott and Richardson this year.
Hendrick is simply not hitting enough to justify his position. If he doesn’t make it to Chattanooga this year he will start getting passed up by younger, better players next year.
Nice to see benson coming around. We’re going to need him before the year is out.
Hendrick is still young he is fine. He is finding his stroke between making some contact and driving the ball.
From what I hear about the young man, in his own eyes he does no wrong already. So a hard dose of maturity could help.
one would think 316 strikeouts in 857 plate appearances would be quite humbling, if not what would it take? always appreciate your local insights tx
I agree with Chi. I love your the insights you give. Although this time a little disappointing. Difficult to coach God. Makes it more difficult to improve as a player.
Congrats to Benson for trying to do an Adam Dunn impression with his BA down below 0.200 but his OBA up above 0.400
Marte continues to be on fire. He’s had a base hit in 18 of his last 22 games, hitting 0.333 during that span and smacking a home run every 12.4 AB’s.
It was a great night of pitching in Dayton from both dugouts. Aguiar is getting some great props for his performance and rightfully so, but John Murphy had an outstanding performance in relief. It was somewhat of a head scratcher when with one out in the ninth he was removed after throwing just 29 pitches. Jayvien Sandridge who has been less than stellar all season. He had a bumpy close for the final 2/3, but eventually got it done.
Murphy looks like one of those scrap heap pickups that are always complained about that could be a pretty good investment.
Abbott, and Richardson looking good. Marte is looking like he’ll get a mid season promotion to AAA. Gotta like what Hopkins, Robinson continue to do. That’s a lot of guys who might be helping the major league club over the next year.
One would think Huggins/McElvain are ready to be bumped up a notch.
Probably time to start talking about Rodriguez as a borderline top 10 prospect in this system. We didn’t even think he’d be back from his injury yet but here he is with an OPS over .900 in a notoriously pitcher friendly league as a 19 year old. All he does is hit!
Then you have Acuna who’s shoving in Dayton. He will probably pitch in AA before his 21st birthday!
All of this for 1/2 a year of Naquin! For what the reds gave up that could end up being Krall’s best deal last year
I would like to see Myers or Newman turn it on soon so Krall has a chance at doing more of these deals at midseason this year.
Myers has been a major underachiever. Gotta think there’s some bounce back left in him but I’m losing hope of that
I agree with you 100% BDH. I think Krall gets an A+ for this trade. I have felt he got much more for Naquin than he received for Drury.
At year end I had Rodriguez at 14 and Acuna at 19. Now I have Rodriguez at 12 and Acuna at 16.
The Reds received Victor Acosta for Drury. At year end I had him at #31. I only rank my top 25 right now but he is not in my top 25. Hard to see him moving into my top 25 anytime soon.
I agree with you 100% BDH. I think Krall gets an A+ for this trade. I have felt he got much more for Naquin than he received for Drury.
At year end I had Rodriguez at 14 and Acuna at 19. Now I have Rodriguez at 12 and Acuna at 16.
The Reds received Victor Acosta for Drury. At year end I had him at #31. I only rank my top 25 right now but he is not in my top 25. Hard to see him moving into my top 25 anytime soon.
I am not sure how this happened.
BA has Rodriguez at 5’8″ 185. That’s pretty solid, as opposed to many other young infielders. BA also rates his hit tool at 60 and his speed as a 70. They have him as a line drive guy with just 30 for power, but I think we may see that bump up after this year, especially hitting in those parks.
I still think Acuna would benefit from a few more ticks upward on his fastball. From what I have read/seen, he doesn’t hit much higher than 90, though I like his breaking ball.
Correction, former infielder …
And, on cue, Acuna just hit 93 …
Connor Phillips just K’d 13 out of 15 batters who made outs.
He was pitching with some serious stuff and attitude. Outstanding fastball today. And showing some fire. Plus, next inning after McAfee was hit in the head, first batter, he let one sail way up and in to the batter. Not especially dangerous. Pretty much put it exactly where he wanted.
I saw the 13K’s, that’s exciting. It would be great to see him locked in for an extended stretch. I’m telling you in 24 the Reds might actually have some rotation depth. HG, NL, GA, Abbott, Williamson, Phillips, Richardson, but they really need to sign a top notch FA to lead the rotation, if they do, that’s 8 deep. If Dunn, and Gutierrez come back and are the better versions of themselves, now we’re 10 deep between the Reds and Bats.