Brandon Williamson will make a second start at an opponents’ ballpark for the first time in his career as the Cincinnati Reds are in Chicago to face the Cubs at Wrigley Field tonight (Wednesday). Game time is 7:10 p.m. Minnesota time.
He started at Wrigley on May 27 in the nationally televised Fox Game of the Week. The Martin County West graduate was not involved in the decision in the Reds’ 8-5 win. He allowed four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out three in 4 1/3 innings.
The left-hander has won two straight to improve his record to 3-2 with a 4.48 earned run average.
Last Friday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Williamson allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings in the Reds’ 6-5 win. He allowed 12 baserunners on eight hits and four walks but induced the Dodgers to hit into three double plays.
In his last four starts Willamson is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA. In 20 2/3 innings he’ allowed five earned runs on 16 hits, walked nine and struck out 14. Opponents are hitting .229 against him in that stretch.
Drew Smyly, also a lefty (8-7, 4.50), is scheduled to start for Chicago.
Cincinnati is 59-50 on the season and has a one-game lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central Division.
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.
July 1 (vs. San Diego)
Williamson pitched well but did take his second big league loss. The score was tied 1-1 when he left the game, and he was responsible for a runner on first who did score and the Padres went to win 12-5. Williamson went five-plus innings, allowing tywo runs (one earned) on three hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 51 for strikes.
July 6 (at Washington)
Rain again played a role in a short outing. There was a delay of 1 hour and 43 minutes after the first inning. Williamson took a bit of the load off the bullpen by making it through three innings. He didn’t allow a run on one hit, walked one and struck out four and the Reds eventually won 5-4 in 10 innings.
July 19 (vs. San Francisco)
A quality start (the third pitcher in five games to do so for the Reds) and a no-decision. Williamson pitched six innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking three and striking out three. He threw a career-high 98 pitches, 61 for strikes.
July 22 (vs. Arizona)
In arguably the best start of his career to date, Williamson picks up his second career win as he goes six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking one and striking out five as the Reds beat the Diamondbacks 4-2. He threw 80 pitches, 55 for strikes.
July 28 (at Los Angeles)
Williamson claims his second straight win, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings in the Reds’ 6-5 win. He allowed 12 baserunners on eight hits and four walks but induced the Dodgers to hit into three double plays. The lefty threw 77 pitches, 44 for strikes.