Scoreless Streak Snapped: Burns Outduels Sandy in a 1-0 Nail-Biter
The Reds and Marlins walked into Great American Ball Park and served up an old-school pitcher's duel. No drama? Please. All drama. When the dust settled, it was Cincinnati walking off the field with a 1-0 victory — thanks to a flamethrowing right-hander and one perfectly timed swing.
Chase Burns: The Real Deal
Chase Burns is not just living up to the hype; he's rewriting the narrative. Over seven dominant innings, the right-hander surrendered four hits, struck out eight, and walked absolutely nobody. Only one Marlins baserunner even sniffed second base. That's it. That's the tweet.
Burns improved to 14-2 and has now tossed 131 innings this season — a staggering leap from the 43 1/3 he threw last year and the 66 innings he logged in the minors. Dude hasn't pitched this much since his Wake Forest days, and he's making every single frame count.
Alcantara's Streak? Gone.
On the other side, Sandy Alcantara was dealing his own brand of nasty. Miami's ace allowed just one run on three hits over seven innings. He kept the Reds hitless until Michael Toglia doubled with two outs in the fourth. And get this — Alcantara didn't even record a strikeout until the seventh, then fanned two.
His career-best 25 2/3-inning scoreless streak — the longest of his life, surpassing his 25-inning run back in 2022 — came to a screeching halt in the sixth. Tyler Stephenson reached on a fielder's choice, and Eugenio Suárez launched an RBI double to left-center. Stephenson never stopped running; Suárez made sure it mattered.
Bullpens Do Their Job
Brock Burke came in for the eighth and absolutely mowed down three straight Marlins. Emilio Pagán, pitching despite some hand soreness, slammed the door in the ninth for his 15th save.
The Reds tried to add insurance in the eighth, loading the bases against Josh Ekness, but couldn't cash in. It didn't matter. Miami was shut out for the seventh time this season, and that's all she wrote.
Up Next
The series continues Saturday with Marlins RHP Ryan Gusto (0-3, 4.78 ERA) taking on Reds RHP Brady Singer (5-11, 4.66 ERA). If Friday was any sign, grab some popcorn.