Brandon Williamson makes his first start after the All-Star break tonight (Monday) when the Cincinnati Reds host the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park. Game time is 6:10 p.m. Minnesota time.
Two of his last three starts were shortened by rain.
On June 26 he didn’t return following a delay of 1 hour and 44 minutes in the top of the third inning. On July 6 at Washington he remained in the game after a delay of 1 hour and 43 minutes in the top of the second.
It’s the 11th career start for the left-hander, his sixth at home. He’s also started one game apiece at Colorado, the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Washington.
Williamson has a 1-2 record with a 5.21 earned run average. In 46 2/3 innings he has allowed 30 runs (27 earned) on 44 hits, walked 19, hit one and struck out 38. Opponents have a .246 batting average.
The Reds have lost four straight and are 50-44 on the season, two games behind 52-42 Milwaukee in the National League Central.
In the Wild Card standings, Cincinnati is two games out of the final playoff berth.
San Francisco, Miami, and Arizona hold down the three Wild Card spots heading into Monday’s games.
The Giants are in for four and the Diamondbacks for three to close out the Reds’ 10-game homestand. Cincy then has a 10-game road trip, playing three at Milwaukee, three at the Los Angeles Dodgers and four at the Cubs.
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.