JJ Bleday homered and five relievers combined to toss a three-hit shutout as the Cincinnati Reds edged the visiting Cleveland Guardians 2-0 on Tuesday in Game 2 of a day-night doubleheader.
Jose Franco (1-0) allowed just one hit over 3 2/3 innings to earn his first major league win as the Reds earned a split. Cleveland, which won the opener 6-5 to snap a five-game losing streak, suffered its third shutout loss in four games.
Guardians starter Gavin Williams (10-6) was again a tough-luck loser despite another blazing display. The right-hander went seven innings and allowed just three hits and two runs while striking out 12 and walking one.
In his last four starts, Williams has amassed 45 strikeouts versus two walks over 27 innings. He became the first Cleveland pitcher since Shane Bieber to record at least 11 strikeouts in four straight starts. Bieber accomplished his feat at the start of the 2021 season when he struck out 48 batters in his first four outings.
Williams fanned Elly De La Cruz and rookie Sal Stewart to open the game before Bleday belted a fastball for his 18th homer of the season, moving into a tie with De La Cruz for second on the team and four behind Stewart.
The Reds countered with lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson as their opener. After retiring the side in order in the first, he walked Rhys Hoskins to begin the second and then allowed a one-out single to Travis Bazzana before being lifted for Julian Garcia. The right-hander retired Austin Hedges for the final out of the second before tossing a scoreless third.
Franco, activated for the second game of the doubleheader to serve as Cincinnati’s 27th man, held Cleveland to one hit while striking out two and walking two. He left with two outs in the seventh with right elbow discomfort after throwing a pitch outside to Petey Halpin.
Tejay Antone, who has overcome three Tommy John surgeries on his right elbow, collected the final out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth.
Emilio Pagan pitched a scoreless ninth for his 11th save in 14 chances. With a runner on second, center fielder Dane Myers robbed Halpin of extra bases to end the game.
