Los Angeles Dodgers Over Power Reds

The Reds came into the confrontation with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who own the best record in the National League.  The run starved Reds have been able to hit enough to win six of the last 10 games and bring themselves within four games of the .500 mark.

The Reds took 2-of-3 from the National League Central leading Chicago Cubs but face a Dodger team, who swept them last month in LA.  The Dodgers have won seven out of the last 10 games.

The Dodgers used muscle to put the Reds in a quick hole with Anthony DeSclafani on the mound. All told the Dodgers hit four home runs to squash the Reds, 6-0.

Cody Bellinger, who came into the game hitting .401 on the season doubled to the gap in right center.  Corey Seagar followed with his fourth home run and the Reds were down quickly.  Joc Pederson and Max Muncy torched DeSclafani in the third, opening the inning with back-to-back home runs, the 14th for Pederson and the ninth for Muncy.

"Our starters have done such a good job," David Bell said.  "You're going to have starts like this.  Desco will get back on track."

DeSclafani didn't use the Dodgers' tough left-handed lineup be an excuse.

"Nothing worked.  I actually got lucky with how many hard hit balls were right at fielders," DeSclafani said.  "I have to be better.  They are tough left-handers but I have to find a way to get them out.  This isn't a trial league.  This is a get-it-done league."

Rich Hill disposed of the Reds easily retiring the first 10 Reds' hitters, six by strikeout.  Joey Votto singled to break the spell with one out in the fourth.  Eugenio Suarez singled but Hill shutdown. Yasiel Puig and Jose Iglesias struck out.

"He knows how to pitch," Bell said.  "He throws in the los 90's but it plays up.  He has a lot of movement."

Cody Reed, who was recalled to today for the purpose of dealing with the Dodgers left-handed power hitters, allowed a single in the fifth but got a double-play ground out to end the inning.  He struck out Cody Bellinger opening the sixth when Bellinger waived at a wild pitch.  He reached first and scored on a two-out single by Keke Hernandez.

Hill rolled on retiring eight batters in a row after Suarez' single.  Dylan Floro took over for Hill in the seventh.

Former Reds' pitcher Dylan Floro pitched a perfect seventh striking out Puig for the third time in the game.

Bellinger added his 16th home run of the year off Zach Duke in the eighth, a solo shot.

Ross Stripling started the eighth for the Dodgers.  He worked around the Reds' third hit, a single by Curt Casali.

Jared Hughes pitched the ninth for the Reds.  He gave up an infield hit but no runs.

Joe Kelly finished the game for the Dodgers.