When the Cincinnati Reds Nick Senzel led off Saturday’s game against the Phillies with a double that just dropped fair in shallow right field, it seemed like an omen of another rough start for right-hander Nick Pivetta.
How quickly things can change.
Pivetta allowed a run in the first inning, but bore down to retire 17 straight Reds at one point and pitch his first career complete game.
Jay Bruce put the Phillies ahead in the bottom of the first with a two-run single. The Phillies never looked back from there.
It was the second straight stellar start for Pivetta, who blanked the National League-leading Dodgers for six innings Sunday at Dodger Stadium.