Dateline: Cincinnati
The Reds were swept in the shadows of the Gateway Arch in a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
While they are short some key bullpen pieces and a huge presence in the middle of the lineup.
That is no excuse for not playing clean baseball and even a resurgence by Mighty Mouse can’t save Polly Purebred when they mishandle the baseball and leave runners hanging at second or third base.
Matt McLain AKA, Mighty Mouse got off the mat and hit two home runs on Sunday and the Reds got a solo home run by Tyler Stephenson but wasted their other seven hits
McLain hit three home runs the last two days and hit his seventh off Michael McGreevy, the Cardinals’ starter. Stephenson hit his fifth one batter later.
That sent the Reds into the lead to be guarded by Rhett Lowder, who returned from the injured list. Lowder was not sharp but held the home team scoreless in his shortened three innings. Lowder allowed just one hit but walked five and hit one to cause Terry Francona to install Caleb Ferguson in the fourth inning. He walked one and struck out one in a scoreless fourth
Chris Paddack, who was removed to the bullpen by Lowder’s return, coughed up the meager lead. He gave up back-to-back doubles by Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker to open the fifth inning and cut the Reds’ lead in half.
One out later Brayan Torres hit a two-run home run to send the Cards to a lead.
Paddack pitched a clean sixth.
McLain hit his eighth home run off George Soriano to tie the score.
Brock Burke walked one in a scoreless seventh.
Sam Moll started the eighth. Moll has been one of the most effective Reds’ relievers but he hit a rough patch the last two games of this series.
Jose Fermin and pinch hitter Nelson Velazquez singled. Accomplished bunter Victor Scott II laid down a bunt. Moll got to it quickly but threw the ball down the line allowing Fermin to score the go ahead run. Moll walked JJ Wetherholt to load the bases with no outs.
Struggling Tony Santillan came into the fire and did his job.
Ivan hit a ground ball right at McLain at shortstop. McLain botched the pickup on an easy force at home. Velazquez scored. Santillan completed the inning getting force at home on a grounder hit to Edwin Arroyo and McLain made good on another try. Lars Nootbaar flied to left.
The Reds had a chance in the top of the ninth when Stephenson doubled, his third hit of the game.
Fly outs by Arroyo and Blake Dunn to seal the Reds’ fate.
That fate is a season low water mark at 31-33. They are in last place in the National League Central by losing 11 of 13 games within the division.
One can argue the case the Reds’ are hurting but a lot of the pain is self induced. The pitching staff walked eight batters against the Cardinals on Sunday and oh by the way, hit a batter.
The winning staff issued no walks. The Reds were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
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