Sal Romano one run sloppier than Jon Gray as Rockies beat Reds 5-4

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Eugenio Suarez was, you could say, in somewhat of a funk coming into tonight. Since his OPS dropped under 1.000 on May 10, he’s batted only .229/.286/.500 in 13 games and 56 PA.

Whatever, those kind of streaks happen. And it’s very obviously selective endpoints. Tonight he was “back” in the form we’ve come to expect from the young 3B (he slugged .750 in the three game series win against Pittsburgh, so, you know, “back”). He bonked his 9th home run of the season in the third inning, which capped a 2 hit, 2 RBI night (with a HBP). That was... does the math... half of the Reds runs on the night, and makes for 40 RBI on the season, which leads the National League. This trophy is as shiny as his hair.

Honorable mention to Joey Votto, who singled, doubled, and scored 2 runs. Tucker Barnhart also showed why he’s at the top of the lineup now, hitting twice and scoring a run. Scooter scooted in an RBI, as did Scott Schebler. The Reds bullpen (Wandy Peralta, Tanner Rainey, and Michael Lorenzen) shut out the opposing team, again. They’ve been good, you guys.

Key Plays

• The Reds opened up the scoring early in this one, with only 1 out in the first inning! After Jesse Winker grounded out, Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto each singled (with Barnhart moving to 3B on Votto’s hit). Scooter Gennett then singled to score Barnhart before Eugenio Suarez was HBP to load the bases. Scott Schebler grounded into a fielder’s choice, but it scored Votto from 3B. Jose Peraza flew out to end the frame. Reds up after one-half inning, 2-0.
• Nolan Arenado doinked a dinger to get the Rockies on the board in the bottom of the frame. Reds up, 2-1.
• Joey Votto doubled to lead off the top of the third inning and then, after a Gennett strikeout, Suarez honked a wanger to dead center, his 9th HR of the season. Reds, 4-1.
• The Rockies pulled it back in the bottom of the third, however. Charlie Blackmon hit a double after a Jon Gray strikeout, the moved to 3B on a David Dahl single. Arenado walked to load the bases, before Geraldo Parra singled to score Blackmon and Dahl. Both runners moved up due to some Reds defensive shenanigans that we’re all pretty familiar with around these parts. Trevor Story was then intentionally walked to load the bases, again, but Ian Desmond grounded into a force out, that force being Arenado at home. The bases remained loaded, however, which wasn’t a good thing because Tony Wolters took the walk from Romano with nowhere to put him. Parra scored. Pat Valaika lined out to end the inning, but we have a brand new ball game, 4 all after 3 full innings.
• Sal Romano was run back out there for the bottom of the 6th after throwing together some scoreless frames. It went fairly predictably; he walked the first batter of the inning and then, after inducing a Valaika ground out, served up a triple to pinch hitting Noel Cuevas. Wolters scored (obviously) and that was that for Romano. Wandy Peralta entered and immediately got Blackmon to pop out. He then got Dahl to fly out, ending the inning and the threat. Still, Rox add 1, lead 5-4.
• And that was that. The Reds couldn’t muster another run for the rest of the game, nor could the Rox. They win, 5-4.

Stefi Graph

Other Notes

• Reds defense really leaves a lot to be desired these days, and it was evident again today in the bottom of the 3rd. When Hamilton threw in the relay from Parra’s single, Suarez grabbed it and saw the runner possibly caught in between first and second base, so he threw over. Problem was, there was also a runner stuck between second and third base that... he apparently didn’t see? I’m not sure, but it would’ve been a certain out. Instead, both runners advanced. Not ideal.
• Sal could’ve used a better start. He’s going to be in serious danger of getting the boot once Anthony DeSclafani comes back, which is coming down to “any day now.”
• Speaking of DeSclafani, he started today for Louisville. It... didn’t go very well. Disco pitched 5 innings of 8 hit, 6 ER ball. He walked only 1 and struck out 8, so that’s nice to see but still, it’d be nice to see him tuned up just a little more before making his first Major League start in nearly a year and a half.
• Billy Hamilton stole a base today, which means he and all of the decision makers in the Reds organization reads Red Reporter. Obviously.
• The Reds will head back to Wick’s tent, where presumably the whole team and team personnel is staying for this series, and get a good night’s sleep before ramping it back up with this Rox again tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 PM in the east. Tyler Mahle will square off with LHP Tyler Anderson.
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