Bonilla shines, offense doesn’t, Reds lose 3-1

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

After the Reds sent Rookie Davis back to Louisville and announced that Lisalverto Bonilla was going to start in his place, Reds fans had every reason to be skeptical, especially since Cody Reed and Amir Garrett had also made their way back to Triple-A. Couple that with the fact that his only other appearance in the majors this season was a 4-run outing in relief against the Cubs and us fans really had reason to worry about how things would play out today. Bonilla had other plans and responded in a huge way for his first major league start of the season. He pitched 8 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. He also collected his first major league hit in the 4th, to boot. After a 17-inning affair on Friday night, this was exactly the outing that the Reds needed. Have a trophy, Lisalverto, and congrats on an excellent afternoon.

Honorable mentions go to: Scott Schebler, who was 2 for 4 with a double and a solo dinger; Devin Mesoraco, who walked, doubled, and stole his first base of the season as part of a 1 for 3 night; and Jose Peraza, who went 1 for 3 and walked twice(!).

Key Plays:

• After two quick outs the Giants, just as they had in each of the first two games, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first. This time it was off the bat of Brandon Belt which, when is it never off the bat of Brandon Belt? The Giants did no other damage and led 1-0 after the first.
• Welcome to the second inning, same as the first inning. Lisalverto Bonilla was able to get two quick outs to start off the inning and then gave up another solo home run, this time off of Justin Ruggiano. He was able to get Matt Moore swinging to end the inning, but the Giants led 2-0.
• After leaving 8 guys on base through 5 innings with nothing to show for it, the Reds were finally able to get on the board in the top of the 6th. Scott Schebler led off the inning and took a belt-high fastball and deeeeestroyed it. 447 feet later, it landed in the center field bleachers for a solo dinger, his 10th of the season to cut the lead to 2-1.
• The Giants extended their lead in the 7th inning. Michael Morse led off the inning with a single to left and then was lifted for a pinch-runner in Gorkys Hernandez. Hernandez would then steal second while Brandon Crawford, who ended up striking out, was at the plate. A Nick Hundley ground out would move Hernandez to third and then an infield single by Kelby Tomlinson would bring in Hernandez to put the Giants up 3-1.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes:

• Before the game, Bryan Price spoke to the media and updated us on some injuries. As noted by C. Trent Rosecrans, Homer Bailey threw a bullpen yesterday and had no issues. For a team that has been shuttling starters in and out of the rotation all season, and has struggled to see those starters last more than 5 innings, this is some welcome news.
• Even though the Reds had guys on base pretty much every inning, the Reds were unable to take advantage of their opportunities. They left 11 men on base over the course of the game and were 0-8 with runners in scoring position. I guess something about not being clutch and not having the will to win should go in this sentence here.
• The Reds will try to come back and earn a split tomorrow afternoon as Tim Adleman will take the mound against Jeff Samardzija. First pitch is at 4:05 PM ET.
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