Another Brutal Loss

Reds 11 Blue Jays 7

On the plus side, the offense had a pretty good day. We had three home runs. George Springer, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement each had one.

Springer homered to lead off the game, becoming the second MLB player to hit 60 home runs to lead off a game (Rickey Henderson was the other; he had 81).

We had ten hits. Horwitz and Clement were the only Jays with two hits in the game.

After three innings, we were up 6-0, with three runs in the first and three in the third. Everyone in the starting lineup had a hit other than Addison Barger (0 for 5, k), who did have some hard-hit balls.

• In the first, After Springer’s homer, Vlad had a two-out walk, and Horwitz hit his homer (number eight on the season).
• In the third: Daulton Varsho had a one-out single. Horwitz had a two-out walk. And Clement hit his ninth home run of the season.

One would think we would coast to a win up 6-0 after three. Not so much. Through three innings, Yariel Rodríguez looked very good. The fourth didn’t go well.

Elly De La Cruz singled to start the inning, but he tried for a double. Varsho was quick to the ball and threw him out at second. But a single and a home run (someone named Spencer Steer hit one out) making it a 6-2 game.

The wheels came off in the fifth:

• Santiago Espinal singled.
• An out later, Noelvi Marte singled.
• Jonathan India singled, scoring one.
• Yariel is pulled for Brendon Little. A double steal and a De La Cruz single scored two more. 6-5.
• Cruz went to second on a wild pitch and third on a steal. Infield in, ground ball to Clement at short, but, with Cruz's speed and slightly off-line throw, he was safe. He likely would have been safe watching the replay if the throw was better.
• An out later, Steer ground one to Vlad at third. Leo Jiménez whiffed on the catch at second for an error.
• Little out, Erik Swanson in. A hit batter loads the bases.
• A walk to Espinal gives the Reds the lead.
• A strikeout finally ends the inning. Down one isn't so bad.

The Reds got three more in the sixth—Swanson gave up back-to-back homers to Noelvi Marte and India to start the inning. A walk and double scored the Reds’ ninth run. And they brought Génesis Cabrera into the game, who got us out of the inning. 10-6.

Zack Pop pitched the seventh and eighth, giving up a De La Cruz home run. 11-6.

Chad Green pitched the ninth for some reason. Odds are Ryan Burr had an injury.

We did get a run in the ninth. Vlad singled, and Horwitz walked. After Clement hit into a double play, Jiménez doubled.

John Schneider was in a tough spot. He likely has Yarbourgh starting tomorrow, who won’t go more than 5 innings at best, and I’d be stunned if he did. They don’t have a day off in the near future (next is September 5th). He really can’t be blamed. Rodriguez had to come out of the game. He used all the available relievers (if Burr wasn’t available, which I’m expecting is true).

I am betting that he didn’t want Green out there today, but something must have happened to Burr. Burr and Nance are the only relievers who didn’t pitch tonight. I really think they will have to call someone up for tomorrow’s game. I can’t see how they get nine innings out of the pitchers they have now.

Anyway,

Jays of the Day: Horwitz (.217 WPA), Clement (-.139) and Springer (.135).

Other Award: Swanson (-.376), Little (-.292), Davis Schneider (-.153, 1 for 4, 2 k. His first hit since August 4th).

They play again tomorrow. I’m not sure why. I’m away for the day, my wife’s birthday, and she wants me to go hiking with her.