Nick Lodolo had to leave Thursday's Cincinnati Reds game just a bit prematurely.
But not before an absolute gem that could make all the difference in the NL Wild Card race.
The Reds announced Lodolo left the game in the seventh inning as a precaution due to a right groin injury.
Before that, Lodolo was unhittable.
He went 6.1 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates and allowed two hits and one walk.
Lodolo struck out 12.
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He lowered his season ERA to 3.30.
The 12 strikeouts tied Lodolo's career high.
The Reds led 2-0 at the time he departed, making him the potential winning pitcher of record.
Cincinnati entered the day 1.0-game behind the Mets in the NL Wild Card standings (and tied with the Diamondbacks, who are also a game back). The Reds hold the tiebreaker on both the other contenders.
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The Reds couldn't beat the Pirates in either of the first two games of the series, which set back their chances a bit.
But on Thursday, the lefty Lodolo took the mound and had one of the best starts of his life exactly when Cincinnati needed it.
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