Dodgers 8 Reds 4
Led 2-0 in the 1st. Lost 8-4. That's a wrap.
Trailing 3-2 in the 6th, the first three Reds reached. It felt like the deciding moment of the game and season. Next: Hays fielder’s choice/out at plate. Stewart K. Elly K. Microcosm of the season moment. Things caved in after that. The Dodgers sent 10 to the plate and scored four runs off Nick Martinez in the bottom of the 6th (7-2). 1B Sal Stewart’s error contributed.
Trailing 8-2 in the 8th, they scored twice vs the LA bullpen, and brought TJ Friedl to the plate representing the tying run. He struck out looking.
Early turning point: Terry Francona got three shaky innings of one run work from Zack Littell. Instead of saying “thank you” and turning to the pen, Tito elected to play with fire. He got burned. Little allowed two runs in the 4th, the Red trailed 3-2. Littell was done.
Offense: 6 H, 5 BB, 13 K, 9 LOB
Stewart: 2 H, 3 RBI, SB.
Lux: 2 H, R
Stewart's 2-out, 2-run single gave them a 2-0 1st inning lead. They capitalized on a dropped fly ball by Teoscar Hernandez.
Yamamoto: 26 pitches/1st inning, +12 after the error. Settled, retired 13 in a row. 45 pitches 2nd-5th. 6.2 IN, 0 ER.
Andujar pinch-hit for Benson w/ bases loaded after a mid-AB pitching change (LHP) in 8th. He struck out after inherited a 2-strike count. K goes to Benson.
Littell: 3.1 IN, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 52 pitches
Left runner at 2nd each 1st two innings. Run in 3rd, 2 in 4th.
Bullpen:
Lodolo 1.2, Martinez 0.1, 4 R, 3 ER, Santillan 1.0, R, Burns
Fielding:
1st start for Hays in RF since 2023 with Orioles.
McLain diving stop saved run. Diving catch took away a hit. Field of high hop saved run.
Stewart throwing error
The Reds have lost eight consecutive postseason games.
Last won a postseason series in…1995. The longest drought in MLB.
Next: Opening Day, March 26, 2026…..176 days away