Brandon Williamson will make what will be his final start before the All-Star break Thursday when the Cincinnati Reds face the Washington Nationals in the Nation’s Capital. Game time is 12:05 p.m. Minnesota time.
Williamson is 1-1 with a 5.56 earned run average. The Nationals will start MacKenzie Gore (4-7, 4.48).
The Martin County West graduate pitched well in his last start at home vs. San Diego on Saturday but took the loss.
Thursday will be the tenth start of Williamson’s career and the sixth ballpark he’s pitched in. He’s made five starts at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati and one apiece in Denver, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Kansas City, Baltimore and Washington.
Derek Johnson, who is director of pitching for the Reds, talked with mlb.com about the improvement he’s seen in Williamson since being called up from Triple-A Louisville in May.
“It’s good,” Johnson said. “There was some delivery stuff we’ve done with him over the last month or so, and it’s started to pay off. He has started throwing the ball a bit harder.
“It looks like he can get the ball to both sides of the plate a little bit cleaner than what he was able to do before. With all of these guys being first- and second-year players, you’re taking small steps forward and trying to stay there as well as you can.
What’s been the biggest improvement?
“The tick up in velocity and the ability to get to both sides of the plate has really helped,” commented Johnson, who has been with Cincinnati since 2019 when he was named Baseball America’s Major League Coach of the Year. “His cutter has turned into a really nice pitch. His changeup has gotten better. He’s throwing his curveball a bit more. All that leads to him having weapons against any hitter that he faces.”
The Reds head into Wednesday night’s game with the Nationals in first place in the National League Central with a 47-39 record, one game ahead of Milwaukee. The Brewers host the Cubs tonight.
With a win tonight or tomorrow, Cincinnati will have won seven consecutive road series for only the third time in franchise history. The Reds won eight straight in both 1923 and 1976.
Cincinnati and Milwaukee will play six games in a row against each other broken up by the All-Star Break. They’ll play three at Milwaukee Friday-Sunday and three more in Cincinnati next weekend.
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 two runs (one earned) on three hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 51 for strikes.