Brandon Williamson will try to bounce back from the shortest start of his major league career today (Saturday) when the Cincinnati Reds host the San Diego Padres at Great American Ballpark. Game time is 12:40 p.m. Minnesota time.
The Martin County West graduate pitched in hard rain in his two innings on the slippery mound at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and he was replaced in the third inning following a a lengthy rain delay.
He went two innings, allowing three runs on two hits, walking four and striking out two as he took his first big league loss.
“Honestly, I’ve never had anything that bad,” Williamson said in the postgame press conference. “The mound not only was it soft, I was just sliding everywhere. I couldn’t get a consistent feeling for anything," Williamson said. "Honestly, I wish I could go back and say ‘let’s just reconvene.’”
Williamson threw 67 pitches, 39 for strikes.
"It was like throwing with your eyes closed," Williamson said. “It’s really hard to throw a single strike in those conditions with how hard it was raining. Then you have to pretty much throw only fastballs because it’s really, really hard to spin a ball for a strike in those conditions."
Williamson is now 1-1 with a 5.82 earned run average.
Cincinnati beat San Diego 7-5 in 11 innings in Friday’s series opener for its third straight win while handing the Padres their sixth straight loss.
Milwaukee lost 8-7 to Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Reds lead the National League Central by one game over the Brewers.
San Diego is scheduled to start Michael Wacha (7-2, 2.90).
Cincinnati then has seven games on the road before the All-Star break, playing four at Washington and three at Milwaukee.
Here is a look at Williamson's starts this season:
May 16 (at Colorado Rockies)
In his first major league start in Denver vs. the Colorado Rockies, Williamson allowed one run on two hits, walking two and striking out six in 5 2/3 innings. He threw 72 pitches, 47 for strikes. Williamson received a no-decision in Cincinnati’s 3-1 win.
May 22 (vs. St. Louis Cardinals)
Making his first start at Great American Ballpark, Williamson game up four runs on four hits, walking four and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings pitched. He threw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes. The Reds won 6-5 in 10 innings with Williamson receiving a no-decision.
May 27 (at Chicago Cubs)
Williamson started for the Reds at Wrigley Field in the nationally televised Fox Game of the Week. He allowed four runs on six hits, walking three and fanning three in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 81 pitches, 52 for strikes. Williamson had another no-decision as Cincinnati won 8-5.
June 2 (vs. Milwaukee Brewers)
Pitching against the team that originally drafted him in the 36th round in 2018, Williamson had career highs of six strikeouts and 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on five hits. He threw 90 pitches, 59 for strikes. It was another no-decision for Williamson as the Reds lost 5-4 in 11 innings.
June 7 (vs. Los Angeles Dodgers)
Williamson gave up six runs on eight hits (including three home runs), walking two and striking out three in 5 2/3 innings. He threw a career-high 96 pitches, 58 for strikes. The Reds won 8-6 in 10 innings with Williamson receiving a no-decision.
June 13 (at Kansas City)
The Martin County West graduate recorded his first MLB win as he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits, not walking a batter and striking out one in five innings. He threw 78 pitches, 51 for strikes. The Reds won 5-4.
June 19 (vs. Colorado)
Another no decision for Williamson, although the first place Reds win 5-4 to improve to 6-1 in games he starts. The left hander went five-plus innings, allowing three runs on six hits, not walking a batter and striking out five. He threw 86 pitches, 59 for strikes.
June 26 (at Baltimore)
A lengthy rain delay resulted in the shortest outing of Williamson’s career as he was replaced in the third inning. He went two innings, allowing three runs on two hits, walking four and striking out two as he took his first big league loss. Williamson threw 67 pitches, 39 for strikes. The Orioles won 10-3.