Reds stay bad, lose again to Phillies 4-1

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

When writing these things, I usually keep the placeholder here as “Good Red” until someone actually does something of note.

That never really happened today. So, collectively I’ll give it to the bullpen. More often than not, the bullpen pitching plays well enough to keep the Reds offense in the game. It’s just that, more often than not, the offense can’t cash in. At all.

That’s what happened today. After a less than stellar start from Tanner Roark, Matt Bowman and Jared Hughes combined for 3 IP of scoreless baseball to keep it a three run spread.

Unfortunately, the offense. Today, the team allowed a one run, complete game to Nick Pivetta, who was sent to the minor leagues earlier this year after being really bad. So, cool.

Honorable mention to Nick Senzel for doubling twice, and Joey Votto for hitting twice. Otherwise, meh.

Key Plays

• Nick Senzel got the game going by blooping a little jam shot just inside the foul line in shallow right for a double, and then moved over to third on a Joey Votto single over the second baseman’s head. Eugenio Suarez grounded into a double play that erased Votto, but Senzel was able to score on the play. Derek Dietrich struck out to end the inning, but the Reds strike first, 1-0 after one half inning.
• The Phils quickly erased the Reds lead in the next half inning. After a sharply hit ball from Cesar Hernandez was caught by Senzel, Tanner Roark walked Bryce Harper. Jean Segura grounded into a play that erased Harper, but Segura beat the throw to first. Rhys Hoskins then doubled on a ball down the line to left, which sent Segura to third. JT Realmuto was walked to load the bases with two outs and, guess who? Jay Bruce singled on a line drive to center, scoring Segura and Hoskins. Scott Kingery struck out to end the frame, but the Phillies get two and lead, 2-1.
• Realmuto dingered to open the bottom of the 4th. Phillies add one, 3-1.
• With two out in the bottom of the 5th, Harper reached on a dribbler in the infield that Roark got to late, and then uncorked it into foul territory beyond first base. Harper ended up a second, but it didn’t matter much because Segura then tripled down the third base line. Phillies, 4-1.
• That was it. Reds lose again, 4-1.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Jay Bruce used to be a Red. JT Realmuto was almost a Red. They combined for 3 RBI today against the Reds. Ugh.
• Roark’s final line: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. He really wasn’t all that sharp at all today, but he did keep the game manageable for the Reds despite not having much command at all.
• Looks like Nick Senzel will get his first day off tomorrow, the first since his call up. That kinda sucks, of course.
• The Reds and Phillies will play one more in the City of Brotherly Love tomorrow afternoon before an off day Monday. Sonny Gray will get the start for the Redlegs, and he’ll be opposed by Phillies ace Aaron Nola. Nola seemingly had turned around a crappy April (5.68 ERA) with a really good month of May (2.73 ERA) before getting shellacked his last time out against the Padres (6 ER on 8 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 5.1 IP). Hopefully the Reds will continue with the shellacking. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM EDT.
• Tunes.