Reds' bullpen sets dubious record, loses to Giants again, 3-1

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

John Lamb had surgery on his back this offseason, derailing what had originally appeared to be a clear path to being in the Cincinnati Reds rotation on Opening Day.  His return got off to a super rough start when he was roughed up in his initial rehab start, but he responded well and tossed an 8 inning gem for AAA Louisville just last week.

That start showed he was fully healthy, and with the bevy of injuries plaguing the Cincinnati Reds at the moment, Lamb was recalled to start Tuesday's game against the San Francisco Giants.  He did not disappoint.

The former Top 15 overall prospect allowed just a single run in his 6 IP, scattering 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4 in a start the team has been craving for much of the 2016 season.  The offense and bullpen combined to make it somewhat irrelevant - at least in terms of the NL Central standings - but it was refreshing given how many innings Lamb is capable of throwing during the remainder of the 2016 season.  So, have a trophy John, and here's to hoping it's the start of a great run this season.

Honorable Mentions are due to:  Adam Duvall, who blasted his 3rd dinger of the season; Tony Cingrani, who threw a perfect inning of relief while riding a unicorn in a leprechaun costume during a fist-fight with a nargle; Joey Votto, who reached base twice (once via walk, once after being hit by a pitch); Brandon Phillips, who actually wore a Reds uniform and got a hit; and Tyler Holt, who served as the only other Red capable of that claim on the evening.

Key Plays

• Lamb retired the first two batters he faced in the Top of the 1st, but the heart of the Giants order got a run off him quickly thereafter.  Buster Posey donked a double to the corner in LF, and that was immediately followed by a softly-lined double that fell just inside the foul line in LF off the bat of Hunter Pence.  The second scored the first, and the Reds trailed early, 1-0.
• The scoreboard stayed quiet for a lengthy stretch after that, but Adam Duvall took matters into his own hands with a solo blast off Jeff Samardzija in the Bottom of the 5th.  His dinger just barely cleared the wall in CF - even needing video confirmation that there was no fan interference - but the call stood, and the game was then tied, 1-1.
• The Reds have a bullpen.  You've seen it on display all season long, at various times inducing tears, vomit, vomitears, and outright flerm.  It allowed a run in an MLB record 21st consecutive appearance on Tuesday, this time with Caleb Cotham (#GoDores) on the mound.  Pence took a 1-out walk in the Top of the 8th, and he moved to 3B on what was almost a double off the bat of Brandon Belt.  Belt was thrown out at 2B on a 7-6-4 relay, though - which was upheld by review - but after the Reds opted to intentionally walk Brandon Crawford to get to Kelby Tomlinson with 2-outs, an effective swinging bunt went for an infield single that scored the run from 3B, because farts smell terrible and the world is full of pain.  Gregor Blanco then Greg White'd a broken-bat single to RF to score Crawford (who the Reds put on base on purpose).  Reds trailed, 3-1.
• That, unfortunately, was that.  Reds lost, 3-1.

FanGraph that...yeah, you know by now

Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

• Yes, of course that photo was cropped like that on purpose.  Must you asche that question?
• Billy Hamilton was pulled after just 2 PAs in this one, with news eventually coming out that a jammed left thumb was causing him issues.  Holt replaced him in CF and as the team's leadoff hitter.
• Somewhat on that topic, Jake Cave is hitting .289/.375/.500 for the New York Yankees' AA team right now, with 2 dingers, 15 ribbies, and 3 steals so far on the young season.  Remember Jake Cave?
• Jon Moscot was originally scheduled to start tonight, but is dealing with issues in the same left (non-throwing) shoulder that was surgically repaired just last season.  According to The Enquirer's Zach Buchanan, he should be available in short stints out of the bullpen by the end of this week.
• Lamb's recall from AAA Louisville required a corresponding roster move, and it came in the form of Drew Hayes being optioned down I-71.
• It's a matinee tomorrow, with first pitch set for 12:35 PM ET.  Dan Straily will take the mound for the Reds before the bullpen implodes, and he'll be opposed by veteran hurler Jake Peavy.
• Tunes.