Games like Tuesday serve as a healthy reminder that Michael Lorenzen started exactly zero games during his three years at Cal State Fullerton and tallied only 28 starts in 49 minor league games from 2013-15. Translation: Lorenzen is very much a neophyte when it comes to pitching at the major-league level, and it’s been quite the frustrating stretch for Lorenzen over his last five starts (19.1 innings, 31 hits, 27 earned runs).
Chris Welsh floated the idea of a six-man rotation on the telecast, and that strategy may not be a bad one to pursue in order to give the rookies an extra day of rest for the remainder of the season. Lorenzen’s velocity was noticeably down Tuesday night, and it’s certainly possible the 23-year-old righty is beginning to tire.
| FINAL |
R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (49-62) | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| San Diego Padres (54-60) | 11 | 11 | 1 |
| W: Rea (1-0) L: Lorenzen (3-8) | |||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Box Score | |||
The Good
*Billy Hamilton saved Lorenzen’s behind twice in the first inning. The first instance was when Hamilton hit the turbo button and ran down ex-Red Yonder Alonso’s drive to the warning track in right-center field. The second play occurred when Hamilton went full extension on a dive to his right to snare a hit away from Will Venable.
*In the fourth inning, Todd Frazier doubled in Joey Votto — who snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a double of his own — to record his first extra-base hit since July 28, a span of 11 games. The two-bagger was only Frazier’s fifth hit in that same stretch. Frazier added a hard-hit single in the sixth and a monster home run in the ninth. Slump snapped?
*Hamilton (single) and Skip Schumaker (sacrifice fly) drove in runs during the fifth inning.
*Tucker Barnhart picked up three hits. Brandon Phillips had two base knocks. Jason Bourgeois added the first pinch-hit home run of his career in the ninth.
The Bad
*Lorenzen simply never had it Tuesday night. Lorenzen’s first inning: five-pitch walk, incredible defensive play by Hamilton, single to center, walk, single to center to score two runs, incredible defensive play by Hamilton, single to center to plate a run, groundout. Lorenzen’s second inning: single, double, double to score two runs, wild pitch, strikeout, run-scoring double, yanked for Dylan Axelrod, who promptly gave up a two-run bomb to Jedd Gyorko on his third pitch of the game.
Lorenzen’s line on the night: 1.1 innings, seven (earned) runs, seven hits, two walks, and one strikeout. Depending on your point of view, either Tuesday night or July 26 at Colorado (2.1 innings, eight (earned) runs, seven hits, two walks, and one strikeout) represents Lorenzen’s 2015 nadir.
*Axelrod yielded four runs on four hits and three walks in 4.2 innings.
*In the first inning, the first two Reds reached against Colin Rea, who was making his major-league debut for San Diego. The rally fizzled quickly after Votto grounded into a double play and Frazier flied out.
*On a single play in the third inning, the Reds gave away three runs on two errors. Frazier botched a ground ball and the resulting throw from the left field deflected off Ivan De Jesus Jr.’s glove.
The Rest
*Alonso, Gyorko, Yangervis Solarte, and Austin Hedges each registered two hits for the Padres. Solarte scored three times and Gyorko drove in four runs.
*Rea allowed three (earned) runs over five innings to earn the win in his first MLB start. He walked one and struck out four.
*Former Reds manager Dusty Baker stopped by the Reds clubhouse prior to Tuesday’s game.
*Bryan Price said Eugenio Suarez will see time at left field, third base and second base — in addition to shortstop — at spring training. Suarez last played the outfield or third base on semi-regular basis in 2010 when he was in rookie ball.
Up Next
The Reds will attempt to avoid a sweep in San Diego Wednesday as two right-handers take the mound. Raisel Iglesias (53.1 innings, 3.51 FIP) gets the call to make his 10th start for the Reds while James Shields (146.1 innings, 4.21 FIP) stands to record his 25th start of the year for the Padres. First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. EST. The Reds will travel to Los Angeles after the game for a four-game set opposite the Dodgers.