Wade Miley Struggles in 9-6 Loss in Colorado

When I saw that Wade Miley would be pitching tonight, I kept my exact routine from last week’s no hitter. I’m not superstitious, but in the words of the great Michael Scott, “I am little stitious.” I wore the same hat. I wore the same shirt. I made the same drink. Everything I did mirrored last Friday night. I did one thing differently, though. I edged the sidewalk, something I normally do on the weekends. While trimming the grass back, a small stick was flung into my eye, and at the moment, I remember thinking “Wade Miley isn’t going to look very good tonight.”

Unfortunately, I was right.

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Offense

The Reds’ runs came by pairs over the course of the game. After initially struggling against Rockies starter German Marquez, the third inning looked like the Reds had finally cracked the code. It started with Jonathan India doubling to left center field. He actually would have scored later in the inning, but was thrown out on a failed advancement attempt to third base. With no runners on, Wade Miley walked and was advanced to third on a 110 MPH double to right field from Tyler Naquin. Jesse Winker brought Miley home on a groundout back to German Marquez. Mike Moustakas brought home the final run of the inning with a 30 MPH infield single up the third base line, scoring Tyler Naquin.

The Reds’ bats quieted down after the third inning, with only two baserunners reaching during the fourth through sixth innings. Two more runs were brought home during the seventh inning. Shogo Akiyama led off with an infield single up the middle. He was brought home on a monster home run from Jonathan India to deep center (451 feet). In spite of the strong start to the inning, no other runs crossed home plate.

Two more runs crossed the plate during the eighth inning. Tyler Stephenson led off by reaching first base on a hit by pitch. He was brought home on a two-run home run from Eugenio Suarez, bringing the score to 9-6 Rockies.

Pitching

Coming off of a no-hitter exactly one week ago, Wade Miley did not pitch very well tonight. He appeared to be struggling to settle into a comfortable rhythm and was laboring to get hitters out. These struggles began in the first inning. The second pitch Miley threw resulted in a triple to Garrett Hampson. This triple was followed up by a walk to Connor Joe. After a failed pickoff attempt against Joe, Hampson scored the first run of the game.

Miley appeared to settle down in the second inning, but gave up four runs during the third. If you were watching the game on TV, the broadcasters referred to it as being a “1,000 papercut kind of inning.” Trevor Story led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a single from Charlie Blackmon. Josh Fuentes then popped to right field with a 6% chance of a hit. It was not caught, however, and Story scored from third. Yonathan Daza then singled with a groundball up the middle, scoring Blackmon. Elias Diaz then singled to left, bringing Fuentes home. After striking out Alan Trejo, Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez successfully bunted to score Daza. The inning ended after Joe grounded into a double play.

The fourth inning was the final time Miley took the mound tonight. Story hit a hard groundball towards Suarez at third base and reached on an error. Blackmon followed this up with a single to left field. Both baserunners were then brought home on a double from Fuentes, ending Miley’s time on the mound. He pitched 3 innings, giving up 11 hits and 8 earned runs.

Heath Hembree entered the game to relieve Miley. After Daza doubled to left field — the first hit allowed by Hembree this season — to bring home two Colorado baserunners, Hembree struck out three in a row to end the inning.

Ryan Hendrix pitched excellently in the fifth inning. After striking out the first two Rockie hitters, he gave up an opposite field single to Story. Story attempted to steal second but was thrown out by two-time gold glove catcher Tucker Barnhart.

Cionel Perez took the mound during the sixth inning and generally struggled with command. After striking out Ryan McMahon, he walked Fuentes and gave up an opposite field single to Daza. With two runners on, Diaz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Sean Doolittle pitched in the seventh inning. He struck out two Rockie hitters but he also gave up a home run, further extending the Colorado lead.

Ohio native and UC alum Art Warren made his Reds debut in the eighth inning. He struggled with command at first, walking Trevor Story on four straight pitches. He settled down after this, though, inducing a fly out from McMahon and striking out Fuentes. Welcome (back) to Cincinnati, Art. I truly hope you have a long and successful career in a Reds uniform.

Stats

Hardest Hit Balls

• Tyler Naquin: 109.5 MPH l Double in the 3rd inning
• Jonathan India: 108.7 MPH l Home Run in the 7th inning
• Jonathan India: 107.2 MPH l Double in the 3rd inning

Unluckiest Out of the Day

• Kyle Farmer: .650 xBA l Lineout in the 2nd inning

Highest Pitch Velocity by Pitcher

• Wade Miley: 91.6 MPH Fastball
• Heath Hembree: 96.0 MPH Fastball
• Ryan Hendrix: 96.9 MPH Fastball
• Cionel Perez: 96.2 MPH Fastball
• Sean Doolittle: 93.5 MPH Fastball
• Art Warren: 97.2 MPH Fastball

Highest Pitch Spins

• Heath Hembree: 2982RPM Slider

Most Pitch Movement

• Cionel Perez: 46 inches vertical break l Slider
• Heath Hembree: 16 inches horizontal break l Slider

Team Expected Batting Averages

• Reds: .272
• Indians: .264

What’s Next?

Not all of Wade Miley’s starts can be no-hitters. Hopefully he returns more to form in his next start. Before that, though, the Reds look to split the series in Colorado, with Tyler Mahle taking the mound against Jhoulys Chacin tomorrow evening. Gametime starts at 8:10 EST.

Featured Photo: Frank Jansky (Icon Sportswire)