Pirates 2 Reds 1
Fresh off a sweep of the Guardians, the Reds fell flat on their face, dropping a series to the Pirates in which they missed facing ace Paul Skenes.
The Reds (25-26) woeful offense managed just four hits. They fall to 0-21 when trailing after six innings. They have scored one run or fewer in 14 games.
Next up: The 1st place Cubs.
Last week, they dropped a series to the White Sox. That’s two series lost to teams in the last week that began the day a combined 31-67.
Offense: 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K. 1 run in the last 18 innings.
Hays: H, RBI. Snapped team 0-10 w/RISP series.
Steer: H, BB. 10 game hit streak.
Espinal: H, R.
Elly: 0 for 3, K, BB. 2 for last 21.
McLain: 0 for 3, .172.
How they scored:
3rd: Hays 2-out RBI 1B, 1-1.
Offense this year: 0 runs 8X, 1 run 6X, 2 runs 4X, 3 runs 7X.
Singer: 5 IN, 5 H, 2 R, season high 4 BB, 3 K, 102 pitches. Shaky outing. Better thank his OF for grabbing four rockets. Messy 1st (2 H, BB, R) could’ve been worse. 18 pitches after 2 out in 2nd, 42 though 2. ERA 4.88.
Bullpen:
Gibaut: 0.2. Off IL.
Rogers: 1.1. Entered 1st & 3rd, 2 outs 6th, K. B-to-B big time appearances w/ strands.
Ashcraft: 1.0, R
Ouch:
6th: Steer out a plate, trying to score from 1st on Stephenson double w/ 2 outs.
7th: Benson HBP, CS. Reds just 56 of 68 on steal attempts (76%). Last year 82%.
8th: Friedl popped up bunt to the pitcher.
Defense:
Stephenson hell of a dive/tag at plate on poor Hinds throw from RF for DP end 1st.
McLain ranging right/sliding scoop & throw
Hinds three leaping catches of rockets in RF.
Friedl leaping catch against CF wall.
Stephenson threw out would-be base stealer