Boxscore

For the third time in a row, a Reds-Phillies game was decided by one run. Unfortunately, in this fourth game of the series, the decision was for the Phillies.

Johnny Cueto started for the Reds and had a pretty poor outing, by his standards. He pitched only 5.0 innings, allowing 2 runs (earned) on 5 hits and 3 walks.

The bullpen wasn’t exactly fresh when they were called upon to come in for the ace. Jose Arredondo pitched 1.2 innings without allowing a hit, but Sean Marshall gave up an earned run in his 0.2. Well, it was actually Sam LeCure who let the runner he inherited from Marshall score and tie up the game.

J.J. Hoover worked the next 2.0 and allowed 0 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Alfredo Simon was the unlucky fellow who pitched the bottom of the 11th, loaded up the bases, and finally let the walk-off run score.

In fact, the Reds had to pitch out of jams multiple times. The bases were loaded when the bottom of the ninth ended, and there were 2 on when the bottom of the tenth ended.

The ninth inning featured some ridiculously poor defense (see accompanying video), resulting in the Reds’ one error (though it felt like it should have counted for more than one), and I was amazed that they got out of it.

On the offense, all 3 of the Reds’ RBI belong to Todd Frazier. In the first, he grounded out with the bases loaded to put the Reds on the board. In the sixth, he doubled in Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick. He went 1-for-5 on the night, which was pretty typical: despite hanging with the Phillies in number of runs, the Reds were waaaaay out-hit by them. No player had more than 1 hit on the night, though Ryan Hanigan did walk 3 times.

The loss brings the Reds’ record to 76-50. Tonight they come home to Cincinnati to take on the Cardinals. Mat Latos (RHP, 10-3, 3.56 ERA) defends his home mound against Lance Lynn (RHP, 13-5, 3.73 ERA). First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.