Martin County West graduate Brandon Williamson pitched well in his five-plus innings but took the loss in his latest start for the Cincinnati Reds Saturday in front of a crowd announced at 30,895 at Great American Ballpark.
It was a 1-1 game when Williamson was taken out of the game after giving up a leadoff single to Austin Nola in the sixth. Nola would score an unearned run that would be charged to Williamson.
The Reds’ bullpen, which has been effective much of the season, would allow 10 runs (six earned) and the Padres won 12-5.
In his stint on the mound, Williamson allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 51 for strikes. He picked Fernando Tatis Jr. off second base to end the third inning after his RBI double scored Trent Grisham, who had walked.
"I just keep throwing until they get me," Williamson told mlb.com’s Mark Sheldon.
Williamson looked effective as he retired his first five batters in the game but needed 28 pitches to get through the third inning. Even after a smooth eight-pitch fourth inning, his day wasn't going to get into the later innings.
"I looked up and saw (63) pitches after the third and was like, 'I got to try to get some ground balls early,'" Williamson said. "Throwing some quality pitches to the heart of that lineup in the fourth for some early ground balls was really what we were after."
Williamson now has a record of 1-2 with a 5.56 earned run average. In 43.2 innings he has allowed 30 runs (27 earned) on 43 hits, walked 18, hit one and struck out 34. Opponents have a .254 batting average.
His next start is scheduled for Thursday in Washington. It’s a 12:05 p.m. start Minnesota time.
Cincinnati beat San Diego 4-3 on Sunday to remain tied for first place in the National League Central with Milwaukee, which beat Pittsburgh 6-3 on Sunday. Both teams are 45-39.
The Reds are one game behind San Francisco in the Wild Card standings.