Reds lose 4-2 to Brewers, fall to 5 games below .500

by — August 24, 2020 in Game Recap

Rinse, repeat.  

The Reds offense didn’t put much together. They got a few guys on base early in the game, but hit into three double plays. They hit two home runs — Curt Casali in the 6th inning and Eugenio Suarez in the 7th — in the middle of the game, but no one was on base. The Reds drew one walk. Trevor Bauer threw a bunch of great pitches (8 strikeouts, 1 walk) but also grooved a few fastballs. The Reds managed just five hits.

Tejay Antone, who continues to make the case for an expanded role, came in with the score 4-2 and a runner on first and one out in the 7th. He kept the Brewers from stretching their lead by striking out Justin Smoak on a terrific slider at the bottom of the zone. Robert Stephenson, who was activated from the IL today, pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning. 

Joey Votto (.200), Mike Moustakas (.194) and Philip Ervin (.094) went hitless. Votto did lead off the 9th with a walk. Suarez had the homer but also hit into two double plays. Votto’s walk was followed by a strikeout (Nick Castellanos), popup (Suarez) and groundout (Matt Davidson)

Hardest-Hit Balls
  • Mike Moustakas 106.3 mph | ground into double play
  • Eugenio Suarez 102.9 mph | home run
  • Curt Casali 100.8 mph | home run
Highest Velocities by Pitcher
  • Tejay Antone 96.8 mph
  • Trevor Bauer 96.5 mph
  • Robert Stephenson 96.3 mph
Unluckiest Reds Out of the Day
  • Philip Ervin 56% hit probability | groundout
What’s Next?

The Reds play Milwaukee again tomorrow night at 8:10 pm ET. Luis Castillo starts for the good guys. Sonny Gray pitches Wednesday and the Reds still haven’t announced a starter for Thursday. 

The Reds will face Brandon Woodruff, the Brewers ace. He’s got a great fastball. Woodruff pitched 4 innings against the Reds on August 9, giving up a couple runs. He’s having a solid year.

It’s a great pitching matchup with Castillo, featuring two of the top seven fastball velocities among MLB starters. 

Featured image: https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1145726291041226753

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Steve Mancuso

Steve Mancuso is a lifelong Reds fan who grew up during the Big Red Machine era. He’s been writing about the Reds for more than ten years. Steve’s fondest memories about the Reds include attending a couple 1975 World Series games, being at Homer Bailey’s second no-hitter and going nuts for Jay Bruce at Clinchmas. Steve was also at all three games of the 2012 NLDS, but it’s too soon to talk about that.

3 Responses

  1. Thomas Green says:
    August 24, 2020 at 10:57 PM

    I think the MVP section needs an update. Thanks for the recap of another less than scintillating game. I’m ready for a slump busting game…

    • Steve Mancuso says:
      August 24, 2020 at 11:03 PM

      Fixed, thanks.

      • pinson343 says:
        August 24, 2020 at 11:38 PM

        I enjoy watching Antone pitch, he’s for real. It was good to see Stephenson back. I liked it in the 7th inning when Castellanos caught a fly that ordinarily would be Ervin’s ball to keep the speedy Arcia from scoring. He threw a bullet. So I feel maybe a comeback is in store, only two runs down. in the 9th Votto works a walk off Hader, who is obviously ticked off about not getting a borderline call. Three HR hitters all have a shot at tying it up and propelling the Reds to a win that would turn the season around.

        Maybe tomorrow ?

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