Reds Rapid Reactions as Cincinnati Falls to the Royals, 7-1

The winning streak came to an end on Friday night as the Cincinnati Reds fell to the Kansas City Royals, 7-1. A number of things went wrong (including the decision to pitch to Bobby Witt Jr. ) and not too many things went right.

Also, intentionally walking Witt? Great move. Giving up a 1-0 three-run shot to the next guy? Not ideal.

1.) It's Still Extend Nick Martinez

The Reds starter Nick Martinez had a decent-but-not-great night. On most nights, Martinez could have left the game in line for the win, or at the very least, a no-decision. On Friday, the bats went cold and left him out to dry.

On the night, Martinez pitched six innings and allowed three runs off eight hits. He struck out four and did not surrender a single walk.

He left some high gas up in the zone and Witt, as an AL MVP candidate should, did not let it slide. He mashed it 430 feet to left-center.

The problem was that Martinez sat down the first 10 Royals hitters he faced leading up to Witt's second at-bat. He allowed a two-out double but that was in in the fourth. In the fifth, he allowed a pair of harmless singles. Then, Witt ran into another one and got the Royals started in the sixth.

In his final inning of work, Martinez allowed three hits and two runs.

If it weren't for one of the AL's best, this could have been a vastly different game. Of course, if ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas. It was on Martinez to pitch to Witt better and also on the lineup to not lay an egg.

Martinez is under contract through next year. He's been incredibly reliable for the Reds and they should work to extend him this offseason.

2.) Silent Bats

Michael Lorenzen , a pitcher with a WHIP of 1.1 since joining the Royals and 1.299 on the year, held the Reds to two hits and three walks in his 5 2/3 innings.

While Lorezen was in, the Reds managed just four balls put in play with over 100 MPH exit velo. Only two were hits. The hardest-hit ball from the Reds was a 107.3 MPH double play.

It is nights like these that make even the most ardent fans pessimistic. Four hits in total. Jonathan India started the game off with a double to the right-center gap but the lineup couldn't keep up.

India did manage to get on base three times, improving his already team-leading OBP to .356.

Tyler Stephenson had a pair of doubles on his birthday with the Reds' lone RBI.

3.) 'Dolo Day on Saturday

If the Reds are going to get back into the playoff hunt, they're going to need a strong outing from Nick Lodolo on Saturday night.

Lodolo has not been his usually elite self this year. He hasn't had a scoreless outing since his first start of the year.

He's only gone seven innings twice this year and hasn't since June 18. He's had run support over his last two starts. However, he allowed five runs off of five hits. He may not be getting roughed up but when he is, it's counting.

Dropping now game to the Royals isn't the end of the world. However, they shouldn't let it develop into being the end of the world with a weak performance on Saturday.