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Guardians 3 Reds 0
Well, that one hurts.
Cleveland lefty Logan Allen tossed six shutout innings and the Guardians took advantage of the left field sun field at GABP to beat the Reds 3-0 Tuesday night at GABP. Left fielder Spencer Steer lost a fly ball in the sun that sailed over his head in the first inning and opened the door for two runs. Reds starter Graham Ashcraft certainly deserved better, tossing seven innings and allowed just three runs.
The Reds drop to 62-59 on the season and 29-32 at GABP.
The Reds have played 13 games since recording back-to-back wins, dating back to a July 30 win over the Dodgers and July 31 win over the Cubs.
The Reds managed just six hits and struck out 11 times in being shut out for the ninth time this season and fifth time since July 9.
The Brewers lost to the Dodgers. The Cubs lost to the White Sox. The Reds and Cubs remain 3.5 games back in the Central.
The Phillies, Cubs and Marlins lost. The Giants and Diamondbacks won.
Wild Card
1. Phillies +2.5
2. Giants +1.5
3. Marlins -----
4. Cubs 1 (.513)
5. Reds 1 (.512)
6. Diamondbacks 2.5
Ashcraft: 7 IN, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 102 pitches/67 strikes. Four of the first five Guardians batters reached to start the game. He induced 11 ground ball outs, tying a season high. His ERA over his last nine starts is 2.17. The Reds are 4-5 in those starts.
What the what? Trailing 2-0 in the 6th, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz singled to open the 6th. It felt like the chance to really do damage vs Guardians LHP Logan Allen. But with 0 outs, Elly was thrown out trying to tag at 1st base and advance on a fly out to right field by Steer. It was Elly's 7th base running out this season, not including caught stealing/pickoff/forced out. Henry Ramos struck out to end inning. Threat over.
No. 1 question: Why that lineup? My guess would be… Newman hits LHP (.817 OPS)...Hopkins .326 BA and 1.202 OPS vs LHP at AAA.....Benson 2 for 21 vs LH.....The plan was to use LHB vs RHP later, like Bell did in the 7th. Ashcraft has had more success throwing to Stephenson than anyone else in his career, by far. He has a 3.45 career ERA in 20 starts throwing to Stephenson and a 7.30 ERA in 22 starts throwing to everyone else.
Ouch: Trailing 2-0 in the 6th, Steven Kwan singled and RF TJ Hopkins had the ball roll under his glove, allowing a run to score to make it 3-0.
Strategy: With the LHP Allen done after six shutout innings, David Bell turned to his LHB off the bench to face RH reliever Enyel De Los Santos in the 7th. With one out, TJ Friedl PH for Stuart Fairchild and struck out. Will Benson doubled as a pinch-hitter for Tyler Stephenson. Joey Votto struck out as a pinch-hitter for TJ Hopkins.
Newman: He singled to start the game and snared a liner at 3rd base to take away a hit.
Nice: CES made two nice plays at 1B....A tough throw to 2nd around the runner on a FC and a nice pick and throw to start a 3-6-3 DP.
Bullpen: Alex Young 2IN.
Back to bite 'em: Steer's 1st inning misplay of a fly ball in LF cost the Reds in a 1-0 loss to the Brewers (July 9). His 1st inning booted grounder at 3B cost them in a game vs the Dodgers (July 29).
Start time: I wonder if the Reds would consider bailing on the 6:40 start times next year due to the continued issues with the sun in left field?
How they scored:
They didn't
Down on the Farm:
Hunter Greene for Louisville: 5.2 IN, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. 83 pitches/52 strikes. On target to make the start for the Reds Sunday vs Toronto at GABP.
Nick Lodolo for Chattanooga: 3 IN, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. 49 pitches/29 strikes.