The Reds’ season-high fifth straight defeat on Tuesday evening was eerily similar to the four that preceded it as their offense lacked support for the pitching staff. For the first time during the skid, Cincinnati scored more than one run.
But that was hardly any kind of a silver lining following a 4-2 loss to the Padres. Now 4-6 on the West Coast swing with one game remaining, the Reds can’t return home with a winning road trip.
“It’s just like Groundhog Day,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “There’s not a whole bunch to say. The club is kind of down. We need a victory.”
For those scoring at home, there hasn’t been much scoring at the ballpark. During the five losses, totaling 47 innings, the Reds have scored just five runs. All of the loss margins have been by three runs or fewer.
“It’s rough, that’s for sure,” Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos said. “We have such a good ballclub. For things like this to happen, it’s …. I can’t even think of a word, to be honest with you — miserable, I guess. We really shouldn’t be struggling and losing ballgames as much as we are.”
In the National League Central standings, the Reds are now a season-high six games out of first place. But unlike the previous days, they are now pursuing the Pirates, who swept a doubleheader from the equally reeling Cardinals to assume first place. St. Louis has dropped six in a row.
Two Reds relievers saw strong individual streaks crack in the pivotal eighth inning vs. San Diego. Lefty Manny Parra gave up Will Venable’s one-out single to right field. Parra was replaced by right-hander Sam LeCure, who gave up a Jedd Gyorko single. LeCure struck out Chris Denorfia before Nick Hundley lined a two-out, two-run double to left field that snapped a 2-2 tie.
Thus ended Parra’s scoreless streak at 19 appearances and 15 1/3 innings, while LeCure allowed his first inherited runner to score this season after he had stranded the previous 12.
“Sam was throwing the ball good. He just hung a slider on Hundley that was up,” Baker said. “That’s another tough one to lose. What can I say that’s different than yesterday?”
The Reds did not take advantage of the wildness of ex-teammate Edinson Volquez, who walked five and allowed four hits, but only two runs.
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