Reds Break Losing Streak

Skip Schumaker pinch hitting for Aroldis Chapman doubled down the leftfield line to score Marlon Byrd with the run that broke the Reds' longest losing streak since 1998 with a 2-1 win.

Marlon Byrd drew a walk from Brooks Brown to open the ninth. Kristopher Negron bunted Byrd to second..Schumaker hit a soft liner off the end of the bat past thirdbaseman Nolan Arenado to drive home the winning run.

"We needed to smile around here," Schumaker said. "Winning never gets old."

Michael Lorenzen gave up a single to Troy Tulowitzke leading off the second inning in his fourth start. One out later he walked Ben Paulson, then retired nine straight batters, including Nick Hundley, who hit into the Rockies' second double play, before Hundley hit his fifth home run of the season.

"We needed a good start from Lorenzen and we got it," Schumaker said. "He is just what we thought he would be coming out of spring training.  For a young kid to pitch like that is impressive."

Lorenzen walked Charlie Blackmon to start the game but got Carlos Gonzalez to ground into a 6-3 double play to end the inning.

"It is kind of my game," Lorenzen said. "I'm a groundball kind of pitcher. I did everything I could to prepare myself. Whatever happens, happens. It is God's will."

Manager Bryan Price felt the weight was lifted off the team's shoulder.

"Hopelfully the weight is off everybody's shoulder," Price said. "Now we can go out and have fun."

Even beyond a much needed win, Price saw more positives in Lorenzen's development.

"Michael Lorenzen was as good as I've seen him," Price said. "He went a long way toward learning that he could challenge hitters in the strike zone. As a young pitcher and you see good hitters like Tulowitzki, Gonzalez and Arenado, you try to make the perfect pitch on the corner."

The Reds scored first off substitute starter Chris Rusin, who was recalled to take the spot of Jorge De La Rosa, who has a cut on his right hand..

Marlon Byrd led off the second inning with a single. Lorensen bunted Byrd to second. Billy Hamilton singled Byrd home.

Lorenzen left with the game tied. He allowed two hits and three walks, while striking out three.

"He got to the point in a 1-1 game where he did his job," Price said. "You don't have a lot of wiggle room. If it was Cueto or Leake it's not going to set them back if they give up a run in the eighth. Jumbo Diaz has been throwing the ball bertter than he was earlier in the season. I decided to let him take the eighth."

Diaz got help fromTodd Frazier. Frazier threw Paulson out after a diving stop to open the eighth inning. It was a throwing error by Frazier, leading to two unearned runs that contributed to the Reds loss on Monday.

Diaz gave up an infield hit to Hundley but put up a zero.

Aroldis Chapman gave up a hit and a walk but struck out three to earn the win.

"We didn't get used to losing," Lorenzen said. "We did everything we could to break the losing streak. Now we have to get used to winning."