Reds Rapid Reactions from a Disappointing Walk-off Loss to the Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds started off rough on the day. Despite a massive seventh inning, the Reds were beaten by the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was an odd series. First, the Pirates blew out the Reds. Then, Pittsburgh won a one-run game. Last night, the Reds blew out the Pirates. Today, the Pirates pulled off a walk-off win to secure three out of four.

1. Pseudo Bullpen Day?

Nick Martinez might be better suited in the bullpen at this point, regardless of the state of the rotation. Including today, his last four starts have gotten shorter and shorter.

On the day, he lasted just three innings and allowed two runs (only one earned) off five hits. Martinez is still a solid pitcher but he only had one inning where he sat the Pirates down in order. He wasn't helped out by his fielders, of course.

In the first, he gave up a lead-off single but Isiah Kiner-Falefa was able to advance to second thanks to a Spencer Steer fielding error. Kiner-Falefa ended up scoring.

In the third, the same thing happened as Michael A. Taylor singled but advanced thanks to a TJ Friedl error when transferring the ball to throw it in. Taylor ended up scoring.

Carson Spiers came on in the fourth and pitched well, however. He didn't allow any more runs to come across and allowed three hits over four innings. Emilio Pagan came on in the eighth and earned a Hold for his scoreless frame.

Spiers was in line for the win after the lineup took the lead in the seventh.

It was all for naught, of course. After getting a one-pitch groundout to notorious Reds killer Rowdy Tellez , Alexis Diaz hit Bryan De La Cruz with the next pitch. Then, he left a pitch up in the zone against Yasmani Grandal and the catcher launched it 393 feet to win it.

Coming into the game, Diaz had converted 17 save opportunities in a row. It was his first blown save since May 13.

2.) Well, the Lineup Did Its Job

It was tough sledding for the first six innings for the Reds lineup. Heading into the seventh, the Reds were still without a run, had four hits, and was coming off an inning where they stranded second and third.

Then, the seventh inning happened and the Reds sent nine to the plate.

With one out, Noelvi Marte got the party started with a single. Then, Jonathan India doubled to set up second and third for Elly De La Cruz . The All-Star shortstop singled and plated Marte. De La Cruz didn't break stride out of the box and took advantage of the throw to the plate and took second.

After Tyler Stephenson was intentionally walked, Friedl bunted and ended up reaching, plating India to tie it up. Then, with bases loaded, Steer walked to bring in the go-ahead run.

Unfortunately, that was it. Santiago Espinal and Dominic Smith both flew out to strand the bases loaded.

In the eighth, the Reds were sat down in order. In the ninth, De La Cruz reached on an infield single but was later picked off.

Of the eight hits, De La Cruz was the only one to register two. Stephenson was the only Red to reach base three times with a hit, an intentional walk, and a hit by pitch. Both India and Steer got on twice.

While it could have been better, the lineup put the Reds in a position to win.

3. She's Out of the Dressing Room and Headed to the Stage

Two nights ago, the Reds lost a one-run game after blowing a season-high five-run lead and we alluded to the whole, "It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings" by saying she isn't singing yet but she's humming a few warm-ups.

With this loss, she has exited the dressing room and is headed to the stage.

Starting on August 19, the Reds were heading into a 10-game stretch of games against losing teams; two of them were last-place teams. With three games to go, the Reds are 3-4. Again, as Barry Larkin put it, you can't win playing .500 baseball. Additionally, when the schedule gifts up a 10-game stretch of bad teams, you can't keep playing .500 baseball.

The Reds had the opportunity to get back into the conversation with this stretch. Now, it feels like they'll have to go on a run they haven't seen in years to get anywhere close.

Because after the Oakland Athletics come to town, four games with the Milwaukee Brewers, three with the Houston Astros, and three with the New York Mets await.