Reds' Martinez loses no-hitter in 9th vs. Padres

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez's no-hit bid ended with zero outs in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres on Friday after pinch hitter Elias Díaz recorded a double.

Martinez ultimately allowed one hit with one earned run, two walks, and six strikeouts on 112 pitches over eight innings in an 8-1 victory over the Padres. He got a standing ovation when he was pulled in favor of reliever Taylor Rogers, who finished the game.

"That's as nervous as I’ve been in a long, long time," Reds manager Terry Francona said, according to The Associated Press. "They say good things happen to good people. What he did this week going to the bullpen. He deserved that."

Prior to Friday's gem, Martinez got roughed up in his last start June 19 vs. the Minnesota Twins before pitching out of the bullpen in his next two appearances.

"My last start, focus wasn't quite there, got shelled, which isn't fun," Martinez said. "Coming out of the pen allowed me to simplify things. It definitely helped me tonight."

First baseman Spencer Steer did the heavy lifting for the Reds' offense, hitting three homers with four RBIs.

Left-hander Wade Miley was the last Reds pitcher to throw a no-no, accomplishing the feat in May 2021 vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

Cincinnati has 17 no-hitters in franchise history.