Over the last month, the Cincinnati Reds have taken over the lead for the second spot in the NL Wild Card Race, had a few of their pitchers turn around their seasons and hit as well as any team in the National League.
While the Reds are still in playoff position, they’ve taken a small step back over the last week.
On Monday in front of a crowd of 10,773 fans at Great American Ball Park, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Reds, 3-1. With the loss, the Reds reached a three-game losing streak for just the second time since the All-Star break.
Since the start of July, the Reds have won 32 games and sprinted up the National League standings. Aside from a three-game stretch against the Milwaukee Brewers in July, and a three-game stretch in early August, the Reds avoided losing three consecutive games and turned that momentum into a strong month.
But during this three-game losing streak, one of the Reds’ biggest weaknesses has been an issue. While Cincinnati’s loss on Saturday was a result of facing the Miami Marlins’ ace, the Reds couldn’t hit the opposing team’s left-handed starting pitchers in losses on Sunday and Monday.
In the series opener against the Cardinals, the Reds faced veteran starter Jon Lester. He entered the game with a 6.04 ERA during his time with the Cardinals this season. He allowed just one run and one hit over six innings on Monday in one of his best starts of the season.
Trailing by one run in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Reds had three of their best hitters against left-handed pitching due up in the order. Pinch-hitter Asdrúbal Cabrera hit a weak ground out, second baseman Jonathan India hit a weak fly out and catcher Tyler Stephenson flew out to the warning track.
Shortstop Kyle Farmer gave the Reds their first run of the game with a solo home run in the second inning, but the Reds didn’t get another hit until the 7th inning.
Reds starter Luis Castillo allowed a two-run home run to the second batter of the game, Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. After that, Castillo was at his best, striking out eight batters in six innings.
The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead on a two-foot RBI single by left fielder Tyler O’Neill, and Lester got his fifth win of the season.
Lester left the game after he walked Reds first baseman Joey Votto in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cardinals replaced him with T.J. McFarland, one of two left-handed relievers on the roster.
The Reds got runners on second and third with one out. Third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who was in the lineup because of his track record against left-handed pitchers, hit into a fielder’s choice where Votto was thrown out at the plate. And then center fielder Tyler Naquin struck out to end the inning.
Farmer had both of the Reds hits, and Cincinnati has scored just one run in each of their last three games.
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