The Cincinnati Reds claimed Ryan Vilade off waivers June 14 and promoted him from Triple-A Louisville when they put Connor Joe on the IL.
Vilade made his Reds’ debut against the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park as a defensive replacement for Gavin Lux in left field before the top of the 8th inning.
Nick Martinez had tossed seven no-hit innings and the Reds led 8-0. Vilade caught Gavin Sheets’ flyout for the first out of the 8th.
Elias Diaz doubled off the wall to break up Nick Martinez’s no-hitter.
When Diaz doubled in the top of the 9th to end Martinez’s bid, Vilade played it off the wall but did not attempt what would have been an impressive catch at the wall. Martinez left the game with nobody out in the 9th.
Some thought Vilade should have made an attempt to catch it, which could have preserved Martinez’s no-hit bid. A few of those tweets:
Why aren’t you laying out for this catch? It’s a NO HITTER in the 9th. Makes no sense. At least TRY!!!! https://t.co/JfGgqVCYuG
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) June 28, 2025
Not gonna lie, would like to see the kid put his body on the line for this catch…. Making a play like that to save a no hitter would have instantly made him famous and prob got a decent gift from Martinez too https://t.co/Onz7QJGYQ7
— Zack Cozart (@zack_cozart) June 28, 2025
Vilade owes Nick Martinez a steak dinner or a car or something.
How do you not sell out on that fly ball with a no-hitter on the line? https://t.co/KXpD2aQu7y
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) June 28, 2025
Am I crazy for thinking Vilade at least should have tried to catch this ball at the wall? Use the cop on the right for scale. I think Ryan could have got this? pic.twitter.com/4EqEZgQSqO
— Craig Sandlin (@Craig_Sandlin) June 28, 2025
In real time I thought this ball was off the wall. After watching the replay multiple times I’m convinced Vilade could’ve caught that if he doesn’t pull up and play for the bounce off the wall. Damn. https://t.co/ktcYk3Dkji
— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) June 28, 2025
Elias Díaz doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Vilade (06/27/25)
Hang: 4.3s | Fielder Distance: 104ft.Hit Odds: 46%
🍀🍀🍀 Double#ATOBTTR#LetsGoPadres
🎥: https://t.co/4ZaGzTj2zOpic.twitter.com/YUaCs4Eaw8— Not Caught Bot (@NotCaughtBot) June 28, 2025
I did enjoy Ryan Vilade’s play on the Elias Diaz double to break up the no-hitter. It looked like Scott Bakula lept into his body mid-play and had to figure out just where he was and what he was supposed to do.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) June 28, 2025
Didn’t realize Vilade and Hampson were effectively traded for each other.
Cardinals fans were confused by the amount of playing time he got. Reds fans are confused why he didn’t go to the wall in a 8-0 no-hitter. https://t.co/ktECGAnCsB
— Rusty Groppel (@hes_verygood) June 28, 2025
Vilade HAS to make a play on that ball
— Kyle Broughton (@KyleBroughton4) June 28, 2025
Nah, I’m with you. Certainly not blaming him or anything, but you have an 8-0 lead. It literally doesn’t matter if you misplay it and the guys gets an inside the park HR. Go be aggressive there.
— LeHoosier (@D_Madden_) June 28, 2025
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Nick Martinez no-hit bid: Ryan Vilade plays Elias Diaz double off wall