Terry Francona Weighs In on Nick Martinez's Near No-Hit Gem originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cincinnati Reds regained momentum on Friday as they flattened the San Diego Padres in a three-game series opener at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Spencer Steer got a standing ovation from the crowd of 26,746 at Great American Ball Park after a strikeout in the eighth inning Friday night, and a half-inning later Nick Martinez got his standing ovation on his way off the mound after giving up a walk and double to start the ninth.

Nick Martinez was three outs away from becoming the 18th pitcher in Reds franchise history to toss a no-hitter, and first baseman Spencer Steer was one swing away from becoming the second Reds player to homer four times in a game. But, both Martinez and Steer fell short.