Junis embracing, and excelling, in hybrid role with Reds

ST. LOUIS -- The final score may not be what the Reds want, but the team’s makeshift starting rotation continues to impress.

It was Jakob Junis’ turn on the hill Thursday, and the right-hander tossed five innings of one-run ball in the Reds’ 6-1 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

“Those days where you're attacking the strike zone, getting quick outs, keeping the pitch count down and eating some innings -- I got out there and did that today,” Junis said.

Junis kept Cincinnati in it despite the offense not getting on base until the sixth inning off Cardinals starter Sonny Gray. Junis allowed just three hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.

“[Junis] is a good pitcher, for sure,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He's embraced the opportunity to pitch in any role. … He's doing a good job. He throws strikes, has movement on his pitches, knows what he's doing out there.”

His best work may have come in his final inning, pitching around a leadoff double by Iván Herrera. With the Reds already trailing 1-0, Junis stranded Herrera at third thanks to a pair of grounders and a pop-up to shortstop.

“Obviously when the guy’s on third, you’re looking for the strikeout or the ground ball. Luckily, I was able to get a ground ball to Elly [De La Cruz] to keep him at third,” Junis said. “And, you know, it's really hard to keep that leadoff runner from scoring when he's on second with no outs. I was pretty pumped up to get out of it with no runs, so that was good.”

The only damage against Junis came when Masyn Winn ambushed a first-pitch slider for a solo homer in the third to give the Cardinals the lead.

“Get-me-over slider,” Junis said. “Felt really good out of my hand. Just kind of started way too middle, a little too up.”

The Cardinals only mustered two runs in 15 innings against Reds starters this series, with both coming on solo homers.

While dealing with a myriad of injuries to the rotation, Reds starters have allowed just those two runs in their past 31 2/3 innings as a staff, equating to 0.56 ERA.

Junis started the stretch with five scoreless innings in his last start against the Mets on Sept. 7. Since being acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on July 30, Junis has posted a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings with the Reds.

The versatility from Junis, who has pitched in 12 games and started three, has been a big bonus for Cincinnati.

“I'm kind of just that hybrid guy, you know, can kind of do a little bit of both,” Junis said. “These last few times around, I've liked the starter routine. Getting the days off in between, knowing every day what I need to do to get ready for that next one has been nice. But yeah, whatever the team needs me to do, and [I will] fill those gaps.”

Junis has earned Bell’s trust no matter what role he is in.

“From what he's shown us, he's comfortable doing both,” Bell said. “And like we've talked about [with] Nick [Martinez], just get him on the mound, especially when he's pitching like he is right now.”

Unfortunately for the Reds, the offense couldn’t get hardly anything going against Gray. The former Red struck out nine including the side -- all looking -- in the fourth.

The Reds finally broke through in the sixth when Jake Fraley singled and Santiago Espinal walked to begin the inning. Fraley scored on a Jonathan India single to tie the game at 1, but Gray was able to strand the bases loaded without giving up another run.

Reds outfielder Will Benson left the game in the top of the sixth after getting hit on the left hand while attempting to lay down a bunt. Then, the Cardinals broke through against Carson Spiers (5-6), who allowed five runs (four earned) over 2 2/3 innings.

“Today, Sonny was really good early,” Bell said. “We created the opportunity there in the [sixth] inning, and we weren't able to come up with the big hit.”