The Cincinnati Reds had some momentum with a 6-4 start and two straight wins at Milwaukee.
But then a weekend series at lowly Pittsburgh killed all that.
As John Fay reports in the Cincinnati Enquirer, and Hal McCoy attests to in the Dayton Daily News, the Reds’ offense was abysmal as Cincinnati was swept by Pittsburgh host. The Reds stranded runners, couldn’t get a big hit, and finally rookie sensation Johnny Cueto endured his first bad outing.
Some notes:
- The Reds scored four runs in three games in Pittsburgh.
- The Reds left 32 runners on base for the three-game series.
- The Reds were six-of-35 at the plate with runners in scoring position, including a 1-for-8 showing.
- Edwin Encarnacion is hitting a bit better, his average up to .179. But the third baseman was just three for 12 in the series and left 13 runners stranded.
- Ken Griffey, Jr. was two of 13 for the series and left 12 runners stranded.
- Cueto gave up five runs on five hits in six innings on Sunday. His ERA went from 2.03 to 3.72. The rookie walked his first batter of the year. He has 24 strike outs compared to one walk.
- Not counting the 12-4 win over Milwaukee on April 9, Cincinnati has scored 13 runs in six games.
- The Reds are hitting .213 against left-handers thus far this year.
