Rookie Ashcraft blanks Giants into 7th inning for 1st major-league win

Rookie right-hander Graham Ashcraft earned his first victory with six strong innings and the Cincinnati Reds beat San Francisco 5-1 Friday night.

Ashcraft (1-0) pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his second big league start. He threw firstpitch strikes to his first 12 batters, limiting San Francisco to four hits and two walks while striking out two.

“Graham is tough to hit,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Getting ahead with movement. It makes for a tough at-bat. He had one or two strikeouts, but mostly ground balls. That shows the kind of stuff he has.“

Matt Reynolds had an RBI double in the third and later scored on a check-swing single by Tyler Stephenson.

Brandon Drury added a solo homer in the fifth, his eighth of the season.

Carlos Rodon (4-4) allowed three runs on seven hits. The Giants scored two combined runs over his last two starts, both defeats. He said the timing of the rain didn’t help.

“I don’t think I found out (about the delay) until about 6:12 and the game was at 6:40, I was ready to go,” Rondon said. “It’s just part of the gig. I just had to stay focused. It didn’t show on the mound, obviously.“

Art Warren got five outs for his third save.

Albert Almora Jr. added an RBI double in the ninth for Cincinnati. Later in the inning, a bases-loaded catcher’s interference call on Joey Bart allowed Nick Senzel to reach, forcing in the Reds’ fifth run.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto was given a day off after seven straight starts since an 18-day layoff with COVID-19. Mike Moustakas started at first base.

“It is awesome to get that first W,“Ashcraft said. “It is something I’ve been working on for a long time. I’m extremely pleased. Strikeouts are great and every thing but a lot of ground balls can keep you in the game longer.”

Trainer’s room

Giants: C Curt Casali was expected to come off the 7-day concussion list Saturday . ... 1B Brandon Belt (right knee inflammation) is eligible to come off the 10-day IL today but will need a few more days.

Reds: LHP Mike Minor threw six innings in a minor league rehab start and remains on track to rejoin the rotation next week.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Art Warren hugs catcher Tyler Stephenson after getting the final out and earning his third save in the Reds’ 5-1 victory Friday over the Giants in Great American Ball Park.