ST. LOUIS – The Cincinnati Reds got a much-needed pitcher back from the injured list and got two home runs from a struggling hitter in the series finale.
But what they didn't get was enough to beat the Cardinals even once during a Cards' three-game sweep that included back-to-back game-winners in the eighth inning – including errors that allowed the decisive runs to score in St. Louis' 5-3 victory over the Reds on Sunday, June 7.
After a pair of singles to open the eighth put Cards at first and second, reliever Sam Moll fielded No. 9 hitter Victor Scott's bunt and air-mailed it past third base for the run-scoring error. He then walked JJ Wetherholt to load the bases with ***** ody out and exited.
Shortstop Matt McLain, the struggling hitter with two homers in that finale and three in the final two games of the series, followed the eighth-inning pitching change with a backhand ***** of Ivan Herrera's hopper to the drawn-in infield for an error that allowed the insurance run to score.
Just like that, the Reds fell two games under .500 (31-33) for the first time this season, took a four-game losing streak to San Diego for their next series, and dropped to 2-13 against National League Central rivals (without having seen the first-place Brewers yet).
But what they didn't get was enough to beat the Cardinals even once during a Cards' three-game sweep that included back-to-back game-winners in the eighth inning – including errors that allowed the decisive runs to score in St. Louis' 5-3 victory over the Reds on Sunday, June 7.
After a pair of singles to open the eighth put Cards at first and second, reliever Sam Moll fielded No. 9 hitter Victor Scott's bunt and air-mailed it past third base for the run-scoring error. He then walked JJ Wetherholt to load the bases with ***** ody out and exited.
Shortstop Matt McLain, the struggling hitter with two homers in that finale and three in the final two games of the series, followed the eighth-inning pitching change with a backhand ***** of Ivan Herrera's hopper to the drawn-in infield for an error that allowed the insurance run to score.
Just like that, the Reds fell two games under .500 (31-33) for the first time this season, took a four-game losing streak to San Diego for their next series, and dropped to 2-13 against National League Central rivals (without having seen the first-place Brewers yet).
4 months ago
