Michael Wacha outdueled Reds ace Johnny Cueto, and Matt Adams’ home run, his first hit of the season, provided the go-ahead run Saturday as St. Louis outscored Cincinnati, 4-1, at Great American Ball Park to hand the Reds their first loss of the season. Wacha gave up a first-inning homer to Todd Frazier, then shut down the Reds for the rest of his 6.1 innings.
Adams broke out of a mini slump. He started the season 0-for-9 with four strikeouts, but took Johnny Cueto deep for solo homer in the fourth for a 2-1 lead. Jhonny Peralta and Yadier Molina added RBI singles in the ninth.
Carlos Martinez will make his first start of the season. The righty has appeared in one game this season, a one-inning stint on April 5 against the Cubs. The 23-year-old led the Cards with 21 strikeouts and 22 innings pitched during Spring Training. He is 2-1 with a 2.87 ERA career against the Reds.
The game starts just after noon our time.