Reds’ basic errors lead to loss against D-backs

CINCINNATI – Poor baserunning and “slow” starting pitcher.

It was part of the recipe that condemned the Reds to their eighth straight loss in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati hadn’t been swept in a home game of at least six games since June 17-23, 2022.

In the sixth inning, with the Reds trailing 3-1, Elly De La Cruz stole second base with Spencer Steer at bat. As pitcher Slade Cecconi prepared for the next pitch, De La Cruz broke for third base. Cecconi held the ball an extra moment and threw it to third base to put De La Cruz in a count before he was put out.

“In this ballpark, outs are valuable,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I have the same feeling here as I did in Colorado, just because things can change quickly. So it was a huge outing. We talk about it, we’ve said it over and over again in spring practice.”

Although Steer walked and Jake Fraley singled after the running gaffe, the Reds came up empty in the inning. De La Cruz declined to speak to reporters after the game.

“Out there, he had more time, but we also saw him get to third with no outs and lead by a run,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Ideally you would want to be more patient. They did a good job and made a good play to cut the score down.

Trailing by one point, the Reds had a chance to tie the game at the bottom of the eighth. After Mike Ford hit a one-out single, Stuart Fairchild was called for a pinch run. As Jeimer Candelario struck, Fairchild broke to steal second base and slipped into the bag headfirst as Candelario flew out.

However, shortstop Kevin Newman faked Fairchild by pretending to catch a pitch and applying a tag. By the time Fairchild realized what had happened, center fielder Corbin Carroll threw to first base for the inning-ending double play.

“I think (with) the crowd and people yelling, ‘Back, back, back,’ he was definitely confused for a second, but just long enough for us to catch him at first,” Newman said . “It’s worked before. The last time was probably in the minor leagues.”

During the fourth inning, with the Reds trailing 1-0, De La Cruz went on an 0-for-17 skid with a single. As Steer batted, Cecconi threw the maximum two throws to first base. De La Cruz went to sweep second base, but Steer flew out to center field, forcing De La Cruz back to first base.

The same scenario ensued with Fraley in a 1-0 count. After two pitches, Fraley fouled a pitch as De La Cruz ran and slid headfirst toward second base. On the next pitch, with De La Cruz running again, Fraley jumped to third base to end the inning.

If the Reds hitters hadn’t gone out there, De La Cruz probably would have been in scoring position to change the situation.

“In typical situations, yes. At the same time, you don’t want to find yourself in a hole as a hitter,” Bell countered. “If we’re constantly making pitches to allow our guys to steal bases, it’s not going to work for us. There are some cases where it makes sense, but not here.

Without a decision, Hunter Greene, who entered the day on a 14 2/3 scoreless innings streak, was charged with three earned runs and four hits with five walks and six strikeouts in addition to five rounds. It was notable that Greene had lower velocity on all of his pitches, namely his four-seam fastball.

Greene’s fastball averaged 95.4 mph according to Statcast, well below his season average of 98 mph. He picked up during his later rounds, but often hovered around 93-94 mph early on.

“It was a slow day since I arrived on the field. I was just working from the first pitch, trying to get the most out of it and still compete and give the team a chance,” Greene said.

Greene did so, including relying more on his offspeed throws. It was important for him to try not to feel his best. He admitted to using smelling salts to gain advantage.

“I was trying to wake up. I haven’t made smelling salts in, I don’t know how long. I ate a few today,” Greene said. “I was dipping my hand in the ice cream and trying to get going. It (salts) was one of the things I decided to indulge in.”