RC+ Recap: Reds lose 6-2

Reds pitching held up until the 9th inning despite a designated bullpen night. Six Reds relievers took to the mound covering for starter Alex Wood who was scratched because of a sore back.

Lucas Sims pitched the first 2.2 innings giving up a run, with two strikeouts and no walks. Amir Garrett gave up a run, walked two more batters and was spared from giving up more runs by a double play. Garrett is walking too many batters to be effective. He did have a nice strikeout of Bryce Harper. R.J. Alaniz had trouble with the strike zone in the 5th inning, walking two. Both those runners came around to score. Sal Romano pitched 6th and Matt Bowman went six up and six down in the 7th and 8th. Romano and Bowman each struck out two batters.

Wandy Peralta pitched the 9th. Just don’t. Just cut him, please.

The Reds offense struggled. They miss Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker and Joey Votto circa 2017. They swung at many, many, many pitches out the strike zone.

Freddy Galvis continued to slump. NOTE: Freddy Galvis has a career wRC+ of 79. He’s been a little better the past three seasons. But even in 2019 he’s 8 percent below average. Don’t be swayed by the hot few weeks he had when he first became a Red. Same for Jose Iglesias who has a career wRC+ of 84. The case for re-signing Iglesias or picking up Galvis’ contract rests on their defense. The positive 2019 offensive moments is fool’s gold.

Josh VanMeter hit the ball hard with a single and ground out to show for it. He also drew a walk. N.L. Player of the Month in August, Aristides Aquino drove in the first Reds run with a single. Tucker Barnhart had a couple hits. Alex Blandino had a sacrifice fly. That’s about it. /waves small pennant/

Reds Most Valuable Players