Don't let Hunter Greene's performance get lost in the ridiculous nature of the Reds loss

Everyone loves to jump onto social media nowadays with their immediate reactions, GIFs, and funny quips. But before you jump into the abyss that Twitter oftentimes becomes, take a moment and recognize what Cincinnati Reds starter Hunter Greene did on the mound today.

I've been critical of Greene in the early-going. Mostly because he sets a high bar. Today's performance was next-level for a 22-year-old rookie, and the right-hander appears to only be scratching the surface of what he can do.

Hunter Greene was masterful on the mound for the Reds.

Most fans, and especially the national media, will focus on the fact that the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff did not allow a hit and yet still lost the game. Before today's game at PNC Park, that had only happened five time in Major League Baseball history.

The last time this occurred was in 2008 when the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to get a hit versus Los Angeles Angels starter Jered Weaver and reliever Jose Arredondo. Today it was Hunter Greene and Art Warren.

Greene pitched a gem and after eclipsing 100 pitches heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, you had to wonder how long Reds manager David Bell was going to let the young hurler go.

Greene was pulled in the eighth inning after walking the first two batters he faced. The flamethrower finished with 118 pitches and struck out nine. Greene, however, did walk five batters and that ultimately was his undoing.

Still, for a 22-year-old rookie, Hunter Greene was spectacular. Greene's velocity has returned as well. Concerns arose after the third game of the season saw his velocity dip by about 5 mph. But those fears seem to be alleviated now that the California native is back to hitting triple-digits on the radar gun. Greene topped out at 100.8 mph and was averaging 98.9 mph per Baseball Savant.

The Reds will utilize a four-man rotation for the next week because of the two off-days sandwiched around the two-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. But, expect to see Mike Minor return very soon as the left-hander performed well in his second rehab outing.