When the Reds loaded the bases against Ryan Dempster on Friday, it provided as Dusty Baker calls him, "Clutch Man Money," Ramon Hernandez another chance to be a hero.
When Dempster struck Hernandez out the Reds pattern of leaving runners on base was perpetuated.
The lack of clutch hitting is the major reason for the 26 one-run losses the Reds have suffered.
If you want to play "woulda, coulda, shoulda", nearly half of Cincinnati's losses are by one run (26 of 54). By turning 10 of them around the Reds would be, leading the Central Division instead of being 8 1/2 games out with 50 to play.
Mike Leake got off to a rough start but part of his downfall was bad luck early. Yonder Alonso, who is still an apprentice outfielder, could not cut off a ball down the Wrigley Field left field line. The ball kicked away the Tony Campana, the speedy ex-Bearcat and Springboro High star, circled the bases for his first home run with Starling Castro on base.
Tyler Colvin hit solo home run in the second inning and the Cubs led 3-0.
The Reds stranded 12 runners but fought back with a two-run, fourth inning rally that started with two outs and the bases empty, Yonder Alonso singled. Todd Frazier walked. Leake hit a bloop that a leaping Campana had in his glove but the ball squirted out upon landing. Alonso scored on the play. Frazier scored on a wild pitch.
Leake left after six innings without the lead in spite of a quality start.
Jose Arrendondo walked Castro the first batter he faced. Campana tourtured his hometown team with a double to left center. The Reds issued an intentional walk to Aramis Ramirez. Bill Bray came in to pitch to lefty Carlos Pena. Pena flied out deep to Alonso in left to score Castro.
That turned out to be the game winning run.
Hernandez hit a home run leading off the eighth to make it a one run game. Alonso followed with his second hit, a double but Frazier, Fred Lewis and Stubbs struck out. Stubbs left three runners in scoring position while going 0-for-5.
The Reds have put themselves in a hole. Milwaukee has won nine out fo 10 games to take command of the division. Pittsburgh, like the Reds are fading. St. Louis is three games out.
http://www.amazon.com/Comeback-Kids-Cincinnati-Championship-Season/dp/1578604931
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
No comments:
Post a Comment