The Cincinnati Reds had a two series home stand this week against the two best teams in the National League and the results were…average. Let’s take a look back at the highlights (and lowlights) from this past week and also take a look at the upcoming week.
Tuesday, May 14th-Reds 1 Cubs 3
The Reds were only able to put together three hits in the entire game, while Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks had three hits himself to go with two RBIs.
Votto delivered on a solo shot for the Reds only run of the game and his fourth of the season.
Tanner Roark gave up 8 hits and 3 runs through 5 innings of work to drop to 3-2 on the season. Michael Lorenzen and Wandy Peralta threw an inning of scoreless relief, and Jared Hughes threw two innings without giving up a run.
Wednesday, May 15th-Reds 6 Cubs 5
I talked about this game last week if you want to go check it out here.
Sonny Gray gave up 3 runs through 5 innings and Yu Darvish had in impressive outing for Chicago, going 5.1 innings, striking out 11, and giving up 2 runs.
The Reds trailed this game 5-3 in the bottom of the 8th. Then Eugenio Suarez happened.
The game went to extras where our friend Puig ended it for us.
Eugenio Suarez and Jose Inglesias carried the team, combing to drive in 5 of the team’s 6 runs. Amir Garrett picked up the win after a relief appearance by throwing one pitch and pitching a third of an inning. Robert Stephenson, Wandy Peralta, and Raisel Iglesias threw scoreless appearances while David Hernandez and Jared Hughes each gave up a run.
Thursday, May 16th-Reds 4 Cubs 2
This is the game where I officially fell in love with Luis Castillo.
Castillo earned his 5th win of the year, going 5.1 innings and giving up 2 runs before a rain delay caused his exit. But here’s the play that confirmed my feelings of love for him.
An absolute gamer. He might win the MVP to go with his Cy Young if he keeps up his speed demon ways.
A Jose Peraza home run and Suarez RBI single scored the other two runs in the 5th for Cincinnati to give them a 3-2 lead. Suarez earned another RBI with a single in the 7th to extend the lead to 4-2.
Raisel Iglesias struck out two in the 9th to earn his 9th save of the season.
Friday, May 17th-Reds 0 Dodgers 6th
Three hits and no runs. We made Rich Hill look like Jesus.
But this happened, so that’s cool.
Anthony DeSclafani lasted only 4 innings while giving up 4 runs. Cody Reed made his second appearance of the season and gave up a run after Cody Bellinger reached on a passed ball strike out and later scored on a Kike Hernandez single. Bellinger went 2-4 on the night with a solo HR. He also scored three runs. Corey Seagar, Joc Pederson, and Max Muncy also homered.
Saturday, May 18th-Reds 4 Dodgers 0
Tyler Mahle earned his first win of the season thanks to 6 scoreless innings.
Jesse Winker homered in the 2nd for his 10th on the year to get the Reds on the board.
Three more runs were added in the 3rd thanks to a Votto fielder’s choice and Puig’s two RBI single against his former team.
David Hernandez, Amir Garrett, and Raisel Iglesias each made appearances to help even up the series.
Sunday, May 19th-Reds 3 Dodgers 8
Tanner Roark posted 5 innings while giving up 2 runs. He was credited with the loss and dropped to 3-3 on the season.
Alex Verdugo and Justin Turner drove in runs in the 2nd and the 3rd, and nothing else happened until the 7th. That’s when shit got bad.
Well, something did happen. Yasiel Puig had a Gold Glove caliber catch.
Unfortunately, Puig injured his right shoulder. We don’t know the severity of the injury yet, but hopefully it isn’t serious enough to cause him to spend any time on the Injured List.
Cody Bellinger delivered for the Dodgers on a two run homer in the 7th and Russell Martin then homered in the 8th. LA scored 3 in the 9th, starting with Joc Pederson scoring on a wild pitch. Alex Verdugo then doubled to score Muncy and Turner.
Jose Peraza smacked a two run homer in the 9th and Derek Dietrich hit a solo shot as well, but other than that it was basically another underwhelming and let down performance from our offense.
Recap and Preview
Against two series against the two best teams in the National League, the Cincinnati Reds went 3-3. Not great, not bad. Just average. The offense still hasn’t totally woken up and time is already running out with us being over a quarter of the way through the season. It’s time for the bats to wake up while the pitching is still this good, before it’s too late.
The Reds go on the road now for a two game series against the Brewers and a three game series against the Cubs. They have off days today, May 20th, and Thursday, May 23rd.
I’m nervous about both of these series. I’m extremely terrified of having to face Christian Yelich at Miller Park, and it’s never fun having to go to Wrigley Field.
This week, I’m hoping for the best…but I’m expecting the worst.
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