Cincinnati right-hander Nick Martinez carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning before pinch-hitter Elias Díaz doubled off the wall, and the Cincinnati Reds went on to defeat the San Diego Padres 8-1 at Great American Ball Park on Friday night. Martinez, 34, retired 22 consecutive batters at one stretch and left to a standing ovation after allowing one hit and one run over a career-high-tying 112 pitches, striking out six and walking two. The effort would have been the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball this season and the Reds’ first since Wade Miley’s gem in May 2021. It was also Martinez’s first start since a brief stint in the bullpen after a rough outing on June 19. The former Padre improved to 5-8 on the year while lowering his ERA from 4.40. Spencer Steer supplied ample offense, homering in each of his first three at-bats and driving in four runs. The three-homer performance was the franchise’s first since 2021 and nearly became the first ever to accompany a no-hitter. Reliever Taylor Rogers issued two walks but completed the one-hit victory. Padres starter Dylan Cease fell to 3-7 after surrendering four runs—three earned—on five hits in four innings, striking out eight. The Reds, winners of four of their last five, improved to 43-29 and remained in the thick of the National League wild-card race.