Stuart Fairchild, Tyler Stephenson back Abbott's pitching as Cincinnati Reds avoid sweep
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell didn’t bother with any advice, message or otherwise empty platitudes when left-hander Andrew Abbott became the seventh Red this season to make his big-league debut Monday night at Great American Ball Park.
“We’ll just let him go experience it,” Bell said. “He’s here because he is prepared. No matter who you are, what you’ve done or your makeup, you’re never fully prepared for anything. At the same time, he’s as prepared as he could be for a debut.
Prepared?
Just two years removed from the University of Virginia, Abbott pitched around some early walks to deliver six scoreless innings as the Reds beat the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 to avert what would have been the Brewers’ first four-game sweep of the Reds in 20 years.
“He’s very mature,” Bell said. “Even though it’s early in his career he has some relay good experience. Probably more than anything, just his makeup and personality are a good fit at this level.”
They certainly were on a night Abbott (1-0) located a 94 mph fastball, two versions of a breaking ball and a changeup well enough strike out six, and – after walking three of the first six he faced – settling in for a 104-pitch night of work in which the only hit he allowed was a one-out double by Joey Wiemer in the fifth.
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Three quick takeaways
This Abbott fellow looks like a good pitcher.
That’s the take. (Did we mention quick?)
2. You don't need a lot of power if it's good at picking its spots. Stuart Fairchild's home run leading off the third, and Tyler Stephenson's with two out in the fourth – both off Brewers' starter Julio Teheran – were all Abbott and the bullpen needed to snap the team's four-game losing streak ahead of a three-game series against the Dodgers.
3. Depth? Who needs stinking depth? The Reds, already down TJ Friel and Wil Myers on the injured list, had both Jake Fraley (allergies) and Nick Senzel (knee) scratched just before game time.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Andrew Abbott wins debut as Cincinnati Reds beat Milwaukee Brewers
