Reds drop first game in San Diego despite Jay Bruce’s 200th career HR

David Holmberg didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning. Then out of the nowhere, the no-hitter, and the 1-0 lead were gone. Justin Upton smoked a 2-2 pitch for a home run to right-center, and the Padres took a 2-1 lead. Holmberg did give the Reds his best performance of his young career, as he only allowed those two runs through 6.2 innings. Pedro Villarreal got Holmberg out of a bases loaded jam with two outs in the seventh inning.

Earlier in the game, Jay Bruce hit his 200th career home run in the top of the second to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. The Reds offense walked six times off Padres starter Ian Kennedy, and chased him after just five innings. They however could not get any of those walks to cross home plate.

The Reds offense couldn’t get anything going against the Padres bullpen either, as they were held scoreless for four innings of relief. Craig Kimbrel closed out a 2-1 win in the series opener for the Padres.

Biggest Play of the Game

According to Fangraphs WPA statistic (winning percentage added), the most important play of the game was David Holmberg allowing a 2-run home run to Justin Upton in the 4th inning, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead. That play decreased the Reds chances of winning by 28.3% (from 57.6% to 28.5%).

Positives

Jay Bruce hit his 200th career home run. Bruce became just the fourth player in Reds history to hit 200 home runs through his first eight seasons. He joined this list:

Adam Dunn: 270 (2001-2008)
Frank Robinson: 262 (1956-1963)
Johnny Bench: 212 (1967-1974)
Jay Bruce: 200 (2008-2015)

Jay Bruce (CIN): 200th career HR. The 2005 MLB Draft 1st round continues to produce. pic.twitter.com/pImGiMHxlh

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 11, 2015

David Holmberg pitched pretty well tonight. Holmberg only allowed 2 ER over 6.2 innings, and would have made it through 7.0 innings if not for a couple cheap hits in the inning. Overall, you have to be pleased with what Holmberg has given the Reds through his first three starts in the big leagues. His line on the night: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

Billy Hamilton walked twice! I repeat, Billy Hamilton walked twice! Hamilton entered today with just 21 BB on the season. Keep walking Billy!

Billy Hamilton and Jay Bruce both made some nice sliding catching in the outfield tonight.

Negatives

Todd Frazier looks so lost at the plate right now. Frazier struck out two more times tonight. It is getting pretty painful to watch his free-fall.

Joey Votto has cooled off quite a bit. Votto struck out three times tonight, and is just 3 for 25 in his last 9 games. Votto has walked 14 times in the last 9 games though, and still has a .436 OBP over his last 9 games. You probably shouldn’t worry about Joey.

Not so random thoughts…………..

Todd Frazier: .256/.309/.519, 123 wRC+
Jay Bruce: .249/.328/.474, 115 wRC+

Jay Bruce just might end the season with better numbers than Todd Frazier. That would be something, eh?

Our old pal Johnny Cueto absolutely dominated the Detroit Tigers tonight in his Kauffman Stadium debut. Cueto pitched a 4-hit shutout, striking out 8, without walking a batter. Cueto threw 116 pitches, 86 of which were strikes.

Johnny Cueto is the 1st pitcher to throw a shutout in both leagues in the same season since Cliff Lee in 2009 (Indians, Phillies).

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 11, 2015

Up Next:

The Reds will face off tomorrow night against the Padres top pitching prospect Colin Rea. He will be making his MLB debut for the Padres. Rea is listed as the Padres #2 prospect overall.

Reds at Padres
Tuesday, 10:10 PM
TV: FSN-Ohio
Michael Lorenzen (16 GS, 4.84 ERA, 5.73 FIP) vs Colin Rea (18 GS, 1.95 ERA, 2.36/4.67 FIP)*
*numbers at AA/AAA

All photographs used are courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, and are used by permission. All statistics are used courtesy of Fangraphs, ESPN Stats and Info, and Baseball-Reference (including Baseball-Reference Play Index).