Braggs played in 249 games in three seasons with the Reds, but he’ll always be remembered for those two plays. The catch, especially, earned him a place in Reds history.
The Pirates, trailing 2-1, had a runner at first with one out when Carmelo Martinez hit a long fly ball to right. Braggs, an eighth-inning defensive substitute for O’Neill, played it perfectly.
“My wrist was over the wall,” Braggs said. “I thought it was gone. I went back on the wall. It was right there. I jumped up and caught it. My instinct said get it in. Barry Bonds was on first base. I didn’t want him to advance. I think Carmelo was pretty shocked.”
Braggs said he autographed a photo of the catch Friday. Martinez had already signed it and wrote, “Seven inches from Game 7.”
Mesoraco update: Devin Mesoraco plans to catch a bullpen session in the next couple of days to test his injured hip. He hasn't started a game since April 11 and has pinch hit twice since then.
“It’s OK,” Mesoraco said. “It’s improving little by little. I haven’t done any squatting. In the box, hitting wise, it’s not a problem. Squatting will definitely be the most difficult thing.”
Rare running: Until Billy Hamilton got thrown out attempting to steal second base Thursday in Milwaukee, the Reds had stolen 17 straight bases to start the season. That's a franchise record.
Not since the Twins stole 19 of 19 bases to open the 2007 season had a team opened the season with 17 steals in 17 attempts.
Looking ahead: Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 0.86 ERA) makes his fourth start of the season in a 1:10 p.m. game today against the Cubs. He has thrown 15 straight scoreless innings in his last two starts and picked up victories against the Cubs and Brewers.
Jake Arrieta (2-1, 1.74) starts today for the Cubs and opposes DeSclafani for the second time. He allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Reds on April 14 in Chicago.
In the series finale at 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Jason Marquis (1-1, 7.20) starts for the Reds against Travis Wood (1-1, 3.20).
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