While the Reds aren't technically in 4th place (since the Cardinals and Brewers are tied for 1st), Cincinnati now has 3 teams to chase down in the division as the Pirates --yes those Pirates -- have leap-frogged over the Redlegs. It's becoming infuriating to watch this team. One error and one bad pitch sealed Cincy's fate versus the Indians (who they still can't beat this year, congrats Cleveland for earning back the Ohio Cup) in Saturday's 3-1 loss.
The offense continues to struggle, leaving 12 men on base. It's easy to point the blame at the offense right now, but every team goes through ups and downs offensively during the season. Just ask Phillies fans about its vaunted lineup. That club is still hitting just .245 as a team, 10th in the NL, yet they have the best record in the league at 53-31. Two reasons for that -- pitching and hitting with 2 out and runners in scoring position. Philadelphia is tied for 1st in the NL (with the Braves) with a 3.04 team ERA. Here's where it gets real impressive. The Phillies have allowed the fewest runs (272) and lead the league in complete games (11) and shutouts (12). By contrast the Reds staff has allowed the sixth most most in the NL (365), and have just one complete game and 3 shutouts. The only team in the league with fewer shutouts is the Cubs with 2.
The Phillies have scored 341 runs, 113 of those have come with 2 out and runners in scoring position. It ranks them 3rd best in the league. The Reds? 104 runs scored in that same scenerio, good for 9th.
Case in point, I watched Philly's Roy Halladay make his return to Toronto against the Blue Jays. His line 9 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K. However the Phillies trailed 3-2 into the 7th. The difference Chase Utley hit a 2-run HR with 2 out and Shane Victorino added a 2 out RBI single in the 9th. Phillies win 5-3.
Compare that to Homer Bailey yesterday against Cleveland. Bailey went 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K. The difference? The Reds never got a 2-out hit with runners in scoring position. Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips, Drew Stubbs (King of the K), Jay Bruce and Chris Heisey all failed in that situation Saturday.
It's been mentioned in this space months ago. The two areas the Reds had to get better at were pitching and hitting with 2 out and runners in scoring position. It's the reason the Big Red Machine is trudging along in 4th place --well, sort of.
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On a side note, the All-Star starters are announced Sunday. Don't know if Brandon Phillips will overtake Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks for the nod at 2nd base, but he should. Overall I can see the Reds having 3 representatives July 12th in Phoenix -- Phillips, Joey Votto and Johnny Cueto.
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