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.

Nick Martinez carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning and Spencer Steer homered in each of his first three at-bats to lift the host Cincinnati Reds to an 8-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday.

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.