Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott has nine big-league starts in his career, all since June 5, and he continues to look like the best pitcher on the staff.
That’s what made the eighth inning of another strong start Thursday by the rookie part of an ongoing math equation the Reds are trying to keep from becoming a math problem.
“It’s definitely on my mind,” said Reds manager David Bell, who sent Abbott back out for the the eighth with his pitch count at 96. “He was tired. It was a hot day. But if that was zero concern, maybe you even think about sending him out for the ninth.