Reds sweep MLB’S first shortened doubleheader

The Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds were the first teams to try out baseball’s new time-saving measure — a doubleheader with seven-inning games.

They ended up having a long day anyway after the opener was delayed over two hours because of rain.

It’s been that kind of season so far in major league baseball.

The Tigers and Reds were supposed to start at 12:10 p.m. Then the first game nearly went into “extra” innings: It was tied in the top of the seventh before Cincinnati scored and won 4-3.

The Reds also won the second game, 4-0.

A shorter game can take less of a toll on a team’s bullpen, and it also presents a chance for a dominant starter to shine.

“Sounds obvious, but everything happens faster. It’s almost like one good way to look at it is the first inning becomes the third inning,” Reds manager David Bell said before Sunday’s games. “I remember in the minor leagues seeing a lot of pitching gems in the seven-inning games.”

Sure enough, Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer threw a two-hit shutout in the nightcap.

By the end of the Sunday night, 12 teams had played 10 games, but six had played seven or fewer. The Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies have played only three due to coronavirus issues.

So roughly a week and a half into the 60-game season, and already there was a nine-game gap in games played.

Francona may miss Reds series

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona left the team before its game at Minnesota on Sunday due to what officials said was a minor gastrointestinal condition, and president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Francona could miss the next two games in Cincinnati against the Reds, starting tonight.

The team said Francona’s illness is not related to COVID-19

Francona, 61, conducted his regular pregame media briefing via video conference from Target Field on Sunday, but the club announced his absence about an hour later. First base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. managed in his absence, a 3-0 loss to the Twins.

Francona, who has experienced some gastrointestinal discomfort since spring training, was sent home with a visit to the Cleveland Clinic for further examination set for Monday morning.

“Our priority is making sure Tito gets checked out,” Antonetti said.

Francona sat out one game last season because of surgery for a tear in one of his retinas. Three years ago, he missed a week for a procedure to address an irregular heartbeat.

Cards-tigers series postponed

Seven St. Louis Cardinals players and six staff members tested positive for COVID-19, causing Major League Baseball to postpone the team’s fourgame series at Detroit.