The Season Long Pattern Beats Reds in Washington 3-1

Get em on, get em over, get em in.  That is the mantra that hitting coaches preach around the batting cages everyday.  The Reds keep missing the last step.

It has gotten beyond a statisitical anomaly.

The Reds have been lacking the clutch hit all year.  They wasted a quality performance by Bronson Arroyo.  They kept young Jordan Zimmerman on the ropes during his 5 2/3 innings the Reds stranded seven.  For the game the Reds left 10 on base and five of those were in scoring position.

The lone run they scored crossed the plate because Henry Rodriguez compounded an error by Ian Desmond by throwing two wild pitches.  Pinch hitter Fred Lewis scored when Brandon Phillips grounded out.

Arroyo was pretty good in his six innings.  He allowed three runs on seven hits. One of those hits was Jesus Flores first home run of the season.  The home run was the 34th allowed by Arroyo.  One more and he will equal the franchise record for righthanders and is six shy of the overall team record set by Eric Milton in 2005.

The largest insult to the Reds injuries was the person that provided the winning margin. Jonny Gomes, who Reds fans are familiar with, was hitting .178 with runners in scoring position.  With two outs and the bases empty, Arroyo walked Michael Morse.  Jayson Werth singled.  The Reds could have gotten out of the inning but Phillips could not come up with a smash up the middle by light hitting rookie, Danny Espinosa.  It was ruled a hit but Phillips has made plays like it before.  On this night it was off his glove.  Gomes drove a 1-0 pitch to left for a two-run single.

Gomes also took a hit away from Joey Votto with a nice running catch in the fifth inning.

Given the Reds inability to get runners home sealed their fate.

The Reds bullpen held the Nationals to give the Reds offense a chance to make a statement, unfortunately that statement was inaudible.

Ryan Hanigan singled to open the ninth.  Yonder Alonso struck out looking batting for Paul Janish.  Ramon Hernandez lined out batting for Nick Masset.  Phillips kept the Reds alive with a single to right.  The Reds hopes were pinned on young Dave Sappelt.  Sappelt came into the at bat without walking in 40 major league at bats.  Drew Storen got behind in the count to Sappelt 2-1 but hit the outside corner with strike two.  As Votto waited for his turn, Sappelt popped up a pitch out of the strike zone to end the game.


   Bleachers: A Summer in Wrigley Field