Baserunning and Bullpen Send Reds Two Games Back

An eighth straight quality start was again not enough for the Reds to win another tight game.

The team ran itself out of two innings and should be All-Star Brandon Phillips was the culprit twice.  Wilson Valdez took off for third in the first inning with the Padres shifted for Jay Bruce.  Before former Red, Edinson Volquez, could deliver a 3-2 pitch, Valdez took off for an uncovered thirdbase.  Phillips for some reason followed Valdez and was caught in a rundown in which Valdez was thrown out at the plate.

In the eighth Phillips, trying to get a super jump on a 3-2 pitch to Bruce again, was picked off first.

Chris Heisey tripled home Bruce, who walked leading off the second inning.  The usually reliable Ryan Hanigan couldn't put the ball in play and a chance to add a run was wasted.

Meanwhile, both Mat Latos and Edinson Volquez pitched as if they wanted to prove the team that got them in the trade made the right choice.

Latos had the better of Volquez for seven innings.  As he did when he pitched for the Reds, Volquez, who led the NL in walks coming in, was throwing a lot of pitches.  He was able to find his command as the game went on.  The Reds didn't score again off him or Houston Street, the Padres lone All-Star.

Latos finished seven shutout innings but had enough.  Sean Marshall relieved but hung a curve to pinch hitter Logan Forsythe.  Forsythe didn't miss the pitch and unloaded his first career pinch hit home run.

Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal, along with Volquez played a large roll in the Reds' third straight loss.

Alonso was on base four times.  Grandal hit the leadoff double off Logan Ondrusek that started the ninth.  Alonso was walked intentionally.  Cameron Maybin reached when Ondrusek slipped after fielding Maybin's bunt. Everth Cabrera singled over a drawn in outfield against Sam LeCure.

The Reds lost to its former ace the last two games, scoring just one run in each game.  Aaron Harang pitched the Dodgers to a win on Wednesday and Volquez, didn't get a decision but turned in his third straight quality start.
The Reds face another of its former pitchers when Kip Wells takes the mound for San Diego. Wells was brought in to cover for one of the Padres injured starters.