Reds offense falls asleep on Tyler Mahle’s excellent start, lose 5-0

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

In a game devoid of Reds highlights, the only thing that went particularly right was the one thing that’s gone particularly wrong all season: the starting pitcher.

Tyler Mahle was on the mound again tonight for his second Major League start and did not disappoint. It took him more pitches than he probably would’ve liked to get out of the first two innings unscathed, but regardless, he managed to finish up six full innings, scattering five hits and allowing nary a walk, striking out three Pirates. He finished with 105 pitches, 65 of those were thrown for strikes.

I believe he got a trophy for his debut, and he’ll get another for the follow up. Good golly.

Honorable mention to Billy Hamilton, who ended up on base three times tonight and recorded two more stolen bases. Scooter Gennett hit twice, Phillip Ervin once and, well the Reds offense and bullpen didn’t hold up their end of the bargain, really.

Key Plays

• This game was played at a nice, brisk pace. Jameson Taillon and Tyler Mahle locked up in a pitchers duel through the first 6 innings, and it wasn’t until the bottom of the 7th that either team could scratch across a run. Michael Lorenzen gave up a one out walk to John Jaso before striking out Sean Rodriguez for the second out of the inning. Starling Marte blooped one into center that neither Scooter Gennett nor Billy Hamilton could get to in time. Phillip Ervin scrambled to get the ball back in as Hamilton spilled over Gennett and sent one offline to home plate that both Stuart Turner and Lorenzen tried to get to... leaving home plate completely uncovered. Jaso scored. Pirates up, 1-0.
• The 8th inning went badly for the Reds, as well. Wandy Peralta got Josh Bell to pop out, but Eugenio Suarez couldn’t handled a soft grounder from David Freese, allowing a single. Elias Diaz roped a single to right before Jordan Luplow yanked a tater to the seats in right center field. Peralta would walk Jordy Mercer before being pulled due to a so far undisclosed injury. Alejandro Chacin replaced Peralta, who’d give up singles to Jose Osuna and Rodriguez. Marte would ground into what seemed to be a tailor made DP, but Scooter Gennett couldn’t handle the relay, scoring Mercer. Chacin would get McCutchen on a strikeout. Pirates, 5-0.
• That, as they say, was that. Pirates win, 5-0.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• It was announced this evening that the Reds have indeed picked up the 2018 option on manager Bryan Price.
• Blog friend Doug Gray from RedsMinorLeagues.com reported earlier today that Nick Senzel will miss the rest of this season due to illness. There’s not a whole lot of Pensacola’s season left, but it’s still a bummer.
• The Reds will finish the Pittsburgh portion of their 2017 schedule with a Sunday afternoon matinee. Sal Romano, fresh off three consecutive solid starts with an ERA under three and 15 Ks, will face off against Trevor Williams. First pitch at PNC Park is scheduled for 1:35 PM EDT.
• Tunes.