| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (18-22) | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Kansas City Royals (26-14) | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| W: Guthrie (4-2) L: Marquis (3-4) | |||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Box Score | |||
The Good
–Brandon Phillips had three hits in four trips to the plate, including a double. Burke Badenhop pitched a perfect inning. That just about covers all the good news from tonight.
The Bad
–T.O.S.*
–When will the Jason Marquis experiment end? He’s clearly not a big league pitcher anymore. Tonight, Marquis couldn’t make it out of the fourth inning, permitting four runs on four hits in 3.2 innings. His ERA is now 6.91; that’s the highest ERA among all qualified starters in the major leagues.
Things just aren’t getting any better. In his last three starts, Marquis has pitched 12.1 innings, surrendering 21 hits and 15 runs. That’s a 15.33 ERA. Not good.
–Raisel Iglesias gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in one inning of work.
Not-So-Random Thoughts
–That’s five losses in a row and, all of a sudden, the Reds are four games below .500 and in a tailspin.
–If I may quote myself, from a piece I wrote yesterday for Cincinnati Magazine:
Only Colorado’s Kyle Kendrick has posted a worse ERA among qualified major league starting pitchers. Marquis’ FIP of 5.67 is the fourth-worst in MLB, as is his WAR of -0.2. Opposing hitters are hitting .325/.373/.565 against him. Marquis seems like a good guy, and he’s clearly working hard, but it’s been a rough year. Frankly, we’re getting close to the point in the season where it will be managerial malpractice if Price keeps running him out there every five days.
As noted above, Marquis now owns the worst ERA in all of baseball. Time to cut the cord here.
–After getting swept in this brief two-game series, the Redlegs head off to Cleveland now for another edition of the Ohio Cup. Raise your hand if you are excited!
Milton was unhappy with Cincinnati’s performance tonight.
*This offense stinks.