Andrew Abbott Opens Up After His Last Start of the Season

Starting pitcher Andrew Abbott has not had the season he wanted, but he gave the Cincinnati Reds seven strong innings in his final start on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

He allowed two runs on six hits, but the Reds lost 3-2 to the Braves in 10 innings, and he got a no-decision.

It did not change much for an eliminated team, but it gave Abbott something good to carry into the winter.

Right fielder Juan Brito gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead with a home run to lead off the game, and Abbott took a shutout into the sixth inning.

With two outs in the sixth, first baseman Matt Olson hit a solo home run to tie it.

The Reds went back in front in the seventh when second baseman Matt McLain tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by catcher Will Banfield, but third baseman Austin Riley led off the bottom of the inning with a homer to tie it again.

Neither team scored again until the 10th.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. pinch-ran for the runner who started the inning at second base and moved to third on a bunt, and left fielder Mauricio Dubón singled off pitcher Luis Mey to win it for Atlanta.

Abbott went seven innings for the first time this season, which mattered because he had not made it through five innings in any of his previous four starts and had a 10.54 ERA in that stretch, according to MLB.com.

He did help the Reds beat the Dodgers last week, allowing one run in 4.2 innings, but he needed a start like this.

"I needed a good one. I haven't been able to put it together in August or September throughout my career," Abbott said after the game, per MLB.com.

Abbott ends the year 6-11 with a 4.61 ERA over 166 innings, a big step back from 2025, when he made the All-Star team and posted a 2.87 ERA in 29 starts.

He did make a career-high 32 starts and never missed time with an injury, and he said he made some late changes to his delivery, including moving over on the rubber.

If those carry into spring, the Reds can get the 2025 version of Abbott back.

Manager Terry Francona said Abbott pitched his heart out and that he would rather see him end this way than get hit around.

The Reds are 73-85 and will watch the playoffs from home, something Francona admitted before the game he is not used to, but the rotation gives them hope.

Starter Brandon Williamson threw six scoreless innings when the Reds shut out the Braves on Tuesday, so Cincinnati got back-to-back quality starts in Atlanta.

Starters Chase Burns, Abbott, Rhett Lowder, Williamson and Nick Lodolo are expected to be counted on in next year's rotation, and Burns will head into the winter after his second season ended with a trip to the injured list for a right groin strain.

The Reds finish in Atlanta on Thursday night and then close the season with three games in Toronto.

This start should stay with Abbott all winter, and it should give him confidence heading into 2027.