Cincinnati Reds Manager Terry Francona Praises Reds' Ace After Career-Best Start

Cincinnati Reds' ace Hunter Greene was one out away from his first nine-inning complete game shutout on Monday night against the San Francisco Giants.

The Reds got the win 2-0 and are still the only team to beat the 8-2 Giants this season.

The right-hander struck out seven, walked a batter, and allowed just four hits in his 8 2/3 innings.

"He pounded the strike zone with different pitches," Reds' manager Terry Francona said. "When you throw 98, 99, 100, and then you start commanding your off speed, that gets pretty tough."

Greene's slider was particularly good on Monday. He threw it 18 times and got 11 swings and misses.

In Greene's first two starts of the year, he got virtually no run support from the offense. He didn't get much on Monday night, but Blake Dunn came up with a clutch hit that was just enough for a Reds team desperate for a win.

"It was huge," Dunn said. "Every outing, he's been absolutely dominant and has gone out there and given it his all. Being able to go out there and get that win today for him was awesome."

Greene badly wanted to get the last out in the ninth, but he understood Francona's decision.

"He said it's fun to watch," Greene said about what Francona said to him. "He didn't want to come out there. I didn't want to come out. Obviously, I am uber-competitive. I dream of days like today. I know it's not going to be the last time."

Through three starts this season, Greene has a 1.31 ERA. Before the season, the 25-year-old set one of his goals to win the Cy Young Award. If he keeps pitching like this, he might just do it.

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