Reds Extend Streak To Five Year Low

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The post All-Star game horrors continue for the Reds in a 4-1 defeat.

The seven losses in a row mark the longest losing streak since the 2009 Reds lost eight in a row.  The loss drops the Reds to an even 51-51 with 60 games to play.

Even All-Star hurler, Alfredo Simon, is a little off his game compared to the first half.

The Eastern Division leading Washington Nationals, got consecutive hits from Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos and Zach Walters off Simon to snap a scoreless tie.   After Washington starter, Tanner Roark struck out. Denard Span and Anthony Rendon singled to put up three runs.

Roark and Simon dueled in Washington on May 21st.  Simon authored a 2-1 win even though Roark allowed just one earned run as the Reds took that series two games to one.

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This time Roark was perfect through three innings.  Billy Hamilton blooped the Reds first hit of the night to left, leading off.  He stole second for his 41st steal of the season, advanced to third on a groundout.  Hamilton scored on an infield hit by Ryan Ludwick.

The Reds have scored just 13 runs since the All-Star game in seven tries.

Reds' manager Bryan Price removed ace with one out in the fifth after Adam LaRoche doubled to start the inning and walked Harper with one out.

"There were just too many baserunner," Price said.  "I try to stick with the starters but I didn't want the game to get away from us."

J.J. Hoover kept the Nationals off the board in the fifth but gave up a run in the sixth.

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The Reds had just two measly hits until two outs in the seventh.  Devin Mesoraco walked and Brayan Pena singled but Rendon made a diving stop of Zack Cozart's hard grounder to end the mild threat.

"We're struggling. When you're struggling you tend to put hurdles in front of yourself.  Pitchers try to make the perfect pitch and lose the feel for the strike zone.  Hitters get out of their strengths trying to do too much," Price said.  "It is easy to say just relax but it is hard to do."

Todd Frazier admitted to the frustration.

"Everyone is trying to do their part.  It is frustrating but we're just not doing it," Frazier said.  "The pitchers gave up four runs but we should be able to find a way to scratch for that many."

Price observed that when the team was winning before the break, it was taking an early lead.  That hasn't happened much the last seven games. 

"We are 37-19 when we score first," Price said.  "We haven't been able to get the lead as much lately.  We need to score early and have the pitching keep the opponents from scoring early.  There is a reason we've won two thirds of our games that way."