Lance McAlister

Lance McAlister

Lance McAlister covers everything in Cincinnati sports! Host of sports talk on Cincinnati News Radio 700WLW and ESPN 1530!Full Bio

 

McLain homers, but Cards jump Ashcraft for 8-5 win

Photo: Getty Images

Cardinals 8 Reds 5

Graham Ashcraft struggled for his second consecutive start and dug the Reds a hole they could never climb out of in losing to the Cardinals 8-5 Tuesday night at GABP. The Cardinals reached him for a run in the 1st, two in the 2nd, another in the 3rd and three more in the 4th.

Reds rookie Matt McLain jacked his 1st ML HR in a losing effort....an opposite field 2-run shot (385 feet) off Adam Wainwright.

The Reds loaded the bases after two were out in the 9th on a single by Kevin Newman and walks by TJ Friedl and Matt McLain. But newly inserted No. 3 hitter Jonathan India bounced into a fielder's choice to end it.

Notes:

Ashcraft: With the beleaguered state of the bullpen after Monday night, he had to wear it: 5 IN, 10 H, 7 R.
He struck out 3 in the 1st inning, but also surrendered a solo homer to Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt, who entered the game 1 for his last 21, homered twice.
He paid no attention to two runners that stole 2nd and then scored on hits.
Last two starts/Rockies & Cards: ......back to back 5 IN, 10 H, 7 R performances. Last four starts: 17.1 IN, 32 H, 25 ER, 5 HR....13.01 ERA.
On May 2, six starts into the season, his ERA was 2.00. It now sits at 5.57.

Shakeup: Friedl hit leadoff. India (DH) started in the No. 3 spot in the order for the first time in his MLB career. He singled and scored.

Offense: Seven Reds contributed at least one hit. TJ Friedl had 2 2B, BB in return from IL, McLain HR, BB, 2 RBI, Spence Steer extended his hit streak to six with a 1B, Kevin Newman 2 H.

How the Reds scored:
1st: Jake Fraley 2-out RBI 2B, 1-0 Reds
3rd: McLain 2-run HR, 4-3 Cards
5th: McLain RBI groundout, 7-4 Cards
6th: Senzel RBI 2B, 7-5 Cards

Brutal: Home plate umpire Will Little was a disaster. Cards 3B Nolan Arenado and manager Oli Marmol were ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the middle of the 3rd inning. ML umpiring has to be at an all-time low this season. Couple that with the disastrous state of official scoring, how we lookin'?

Glove love: Friedl made a nice recovery on a rocket to CF and hauled it in over his shoulder. Newman made a really nice diving stab up the middle from 2B. Spencer Steer made a nice pick at 1B.

Yer, out! McLain caught stealing. Reds are 13th in SB (35)....T-2nd CS (16)......Reds 35 SB, 16 CS Rays 53 SB, 16 CS

Oh-fer: Wil Myers (0-3, BB) is down to .189.

Bullpen: 4 IN, 1 R...........Silvino Bracho 2.0 IN, 0 R........Alan Busenitz 2.0, 1 R.


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