Reds share classy reaction to Snell’s no-hitter in Giants’ win originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
After playing the 18th no-hitter in Giants historyBlake Snell was deservedly celebrated by his teammates and coaches at the visiting team’s headquarters.
But on the other side, in the Cincinnati Reds locker room, there was that same level of mutual respect for the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
“A special night for him,” said Reds manager David Bell (h/t MLB. with). “He was really good. We tried to lock in, move forward and be ready to hit. He did a great job. He pitched a really incredible game. For us, it’s a loss.”
The left-hander was unwavering in the Giants’ 3-0 victory on Friday night, spinning a masterpiece to follow his 15 strikeout performance on July 27 against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park.
In five starts since returning from injury in early July, Snell has posted a nearly unattainable 0.55 ERA.
Reds pitcher Nick Martinez was Snell’s teammate on the San Diego Padres last season, watching Snell go 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA in 32 starts. Martinez was a bit surprised by Snell’s departure — and predicts it won’t be the last.
“I don’t think this will be the only one,” Martinez said. “He is very capable of doing that. It has some electrical things. When he is on, he is extremely difficult to hit.
“I don’t like being on the wrong side of this, but it’s good for him. It’s really cool for him. Kudos to Blake for that.
Cincinnati’s only baserunners of the night came on three walks, but they didn’t faze the nine-year vet.
Snell had 11 strikeouts in his last gem, giving him back-to-back double-digit strikeout games for the first time since he did so in four straight games with the Padres last season.
Reds catcher Luke Maile, who was reinstated from the injured list on Friday but did not appear in the game, was Snell’s teammate in 2016 with Tampa Bay when Snell was a rookie.
“He and I were just trying to establish ourselves in the big leagues with Tampa,” Maile said. “Everything kind of comes together. You remember him throwing that pitch, or you remember him using that sequence. What makes the big leagues cool is seeing how much sharper they’ve gotten.
“It’s cool to see all the work he’s done manifest before your eyes.”
Meanwhile, Reds starter Andrew Abbott allowed a solo home run by Casey Schmitt and an RBI double by Tyler Fitzgerald. He struck out eight but gave up seven hits and one walk in his 4 1/3 innings. And while he’s still trying to figure things out, the young lefty can appreciate what he witnessed from an all-around pro on Friday night.
“It’s hard enough to throw a no-hitter in baseball, so tip your cap to him,” Abbott said. “It was on all night. He kept our guys off balance.
