WATCH: Reds ace Hunter Greene's slick behind-the-back grab against Braves
Cincinnati Reds All-Star pitcher Hunter Greene had a solid outing from the mound on Monday to shrug off his underwhelming performance at the 2024 All-Star game on July 16. The Reds ace pulled off a slick play against the Atlanta Braves in the series opener at Truist Park on Monday.
At the bottom of the first inning, Greene grabbed Braves second baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr.'s ground ball from behind his back and effected an effortless play to deny the Braves 2B an infield single.
The Cincinnati Reds took an early lead in the game after red-hot Elly De La Cruz's triple was followed by Jeimer Candelario's sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning.
Hunter Greene ensured that the team's lead remained intact in the game as the 24-year-old pitcher went seven innings deep to shut out the home team. Greene allowed just two hits and walked three times while striking out seven hitters in his dominant outing.
Hunter Greene takes pride in All-Star appearance despite the loss
Hunter Greene got his first All-Star nod this season after the National League All-Star team named him the replacement for the Los Angeles Dodgers' Tyler Glasnow. The Dodgers starter was placed on the injured list because of a back injury.
He joined teammate Elly De La Cruz as the only other Reds player on the 2024 All-Star roster. However, it didn't pan out as well as Greene would have anticipated as the Reds ace was the losing pitcher on the night after conceding a go-ahead homer to eventual 2024 All-Star MVP Jarren Duran.
“It’s the best hitters. I just wasn’t able to get out of there as clean as I wanted. But I had a really great time,” Greene said after the game.
Duran's two-run homer off Greene helped the American League to a 5-3 win over the National League in the Midsummer Classic. Despite the loss, the 24-year-old took pride in making the marquee clash at such an early stage in his career.
“Being an All-Star is a huge privilege,” Greene said. “It means a lot. It’s a blessing. When you can get an All-Star [selection] this early in your career, I think it propels you in a lot of different ways.”
Hunter Greene bounced back on Monday, helping the Reds to a comfortable 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves.