Errors by Reds prove costly, as rally falls short

The Reds didn’t score in the first inning (something they’ve only done once since August 17) and were again no-hit in the first three innings. Skip Schumaker got the Reds first hit in the bottom of the fourth. After yesterday’s offensive explosion of two runs, the Mets held the Reds to one run and five hits today.

If Mat Latos was attempting to answer Mike Maffie’s question from Friday (Will the real Mat Latos please stand up?) it was positive. Over six innings, Latos gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out five Mets. He gave up no earned runs.

The Reds threatened in the fourth inning. After Schumaker broke up the now-daily no-hitter threat, Todd Frazier was hit by a pitch and Devin Mesoraco worked a walk. However Brandon Phillips, trying to pull a ball pitched outside, grounded back to the mound (video) into a rally-killing double play. Phillips (batting fifth) was hitting .154/.203/.185 since coming off the disabled list. Jay Bruce then grounded out to second. Both Phillips and Bruce had extra-base hits later in the game. For Bruce his solo homer in the ninth was his 16th of the year.

The Reds scored in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Latos singled to center. Billy Hamilton followed with a hit. Schumaker drove in Latos with a hit to center field (video), putting the Reds up 1-0.

But the Mets responded in the top of the sixth thanks to a 2-base error by Billy Hamilton. With one out, Hamilton let Wilton Flores’ fly ball go off his glove. Radio broadcaster Jim Kelch described Hamilton’s play as a “little casual” and Doug Flynn said that while it was “uncharacteristic” for Hamilton, that Kelch had “hit the nail on the head, he was loafing it.” The error proved costly. Curtis Granderson drove Flores in with a single. With two outs, catcher Anthony Recker drilled a two-run homer off the left-field facing. It was only Hamilton’s second error of the season. All three runs were unearned.

Sam LeCure and Carlos Contreras each walked the first batter they faced. Contreras actually walked the second hitter, too.

Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run off J.J. Hoover in the eighth inning. But Granderson should have been out earlier in the at bat when Jack Hannahan dropped the outfielder’s foul pop-up for an error. I can’t tell you how sick I am of the botched plays at first base. I know Joey Votto wasn’t the greatest defensively last year, but every misplay now is an irritating reminder of how the Reds (five months after Votto’s injury) still don’t have a legitimate back-up first baseman. The error allowed the game-winning run.

The relentless Reds rallied in the ninth against Mets closer Jenrry Mejia. After Bruce’s solo homer (video), Hannahan doubled. Chris Heisey made an out but Ryan Ludwick singled (video), knocking in Hannahan. Bryan Price sent Kristopher Negron in to pinch run for Ludwick. After Hamilton walked (!), Skip Schumaker flew out. That brought Frazier to the plate with the tying run at second. Frazier grounded out to third to end the game. Or so it seemed. After Super Todd was ruled out by the first base umpire, the replay review overturned the call (video), loading the bases for Devin Mesoraco. But sadly mighty Devin struck out. Because it had to be another one-run loss.