Reds manager Bryan Price is trying to find the right bullpen chemistry in the late innings, but he’s discovering just how combustible his elements are.
Eighth-inning leads seems to be particularly flammable. For the second-straight day, Jumbo Diaz blew a two-run lead in the eighth within his first two batters. In Monday’s 7-6 loss to the Cubs in 10 innings, Diaz walked leadoff batter Anthony Rizzo before Jorge Soler blasted a 96-mph 0-2 fastball for a game-tying, two-run home run to center field.
“It was a game that was set up perfectly. It just didn’t work out,” Price lamented.
On Sunday vs. the Cardinals, Diaz gave up a leadoff single in the eighth before Jhonny Peralta’s game-tying homer. St. Louis handed the Reds a 7-5 loss in 11 innings.
“Anything I can do about it, I’m fighting and trying to do my best,” Diaz said. “Two days in a row, I had a rough night. It’s very hard for me right now.”
The Reds’ bullpen has four blown saves in seven games with four homers allowed and a 4.94 ERA. It entered the day 14th out of 15 National League clubs in ERA, and that’s despite closer Aroldis Chapman not allowing runs in any of his five appearances totaling five innings. Last season, the bullpen also finished 14th in ERA before changes were made in the offseason.
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