Anthony DeSclafani Ends His Season On A Sour Note

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Anthony DeSclafani will end up leading the staff with nine wins but his last three starts were a struggle.

On September 12, the 24-year old righthander defeated the Cardinals 5-1 with six strong innings. His ERA was a season-low 3.67 after the game and his record was 9-10.  Since that night, DeSclafani pitched 15 2/3 innings and allowed 14 earned runs (8.04) to finish the season with a 9-13 record and a 4.05 ERA as the Reds bowed to the Cubs 10-3.

The playoff bound Cubs added the last five runs in five innings against the rookie who made 31 starts this season after being the key piece in the Reds' trade with Miami that sent Mat Latos out.

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DeSclafani started strong against the Cubs, retiring the first eight batters before the inexcusable walk to Cubs' starting pitcher Jon Lester, who had three singles in 59 at bats. Kyle Schwarber singled up the middle and both scored on Austin Jackson's double.

The hit erased the Reds' early lead.  Newcomer Tyler Holt blooped a single to right off Lester, one out into the first inning. Brandon Phillips back in the lineup after sitting for two days dropped a double down the rightfield line.  Jay Bruce hit a long fly to centerfield to give the Reds the advantage.

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Anthony Rizzo doubled to open the Cubs' fourth.  Addison Russell's two-out single scored Rizzo.

Lester singled to open the fifth and waltzed to third on two wild pitches by DeSclafani, making it easy to score on Jackson's second double of the game.  Starlin Castro's 11th home run leading off the fifth was followed by a walk to Jorge Soler, that concluded DeSclafani's season.

The Cubs added three runs in the eighth inning off Tony Cingrani with Jackson's two-run bases loaded single capping the inning.  Jackson's five RBI for the game set a career high.

Collin Balester allowed a single to Rizzo and doubles to Castro, his fourth hit, and Russell to net two more runs.

Brayan Pena hit a double with one out in the second inning.  Lester retired the last 20 batters he faced before leaving after the eighth inning. He struck out nine and allowed three hits and no walks.

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Jason Bourgeois broke the string with a single off Neil Ramirez. Holt walked and both advanced on a wild pitch. Phillips drove in Bourgeois with a fly to right. Bruce hit his second sacrifice fly to score Holt.

The Reds lost for the 11th straight time, the most since 1998. They have not lost more than 11 since the had a 12-game losing streak in 1993.