| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (46-54) |
4 | 9 | 1 |
| Milwaukee Brewers (53-50) |
5 | 6 | 1 |
| W: Albers (5-3) L: Sims (1-1) S: Peralta (1) |
|||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Reds jumped to to a 2-0, and a 4-2 lead early on in the game, but the Brewers were able to avoid the sweep by coming back and scoring 3 runs in the 5th inning. Both bullpens were nails and held the score there the rest of the way.
The Offense
Nick Senzel led the game off with a single. But that’s where the good news stopped as after he reached first base he was removed from the game. There was a lot of speculation, given his past, with what could have been going on. The official word from the Cincinnati Reds is that he was removed from the game with “illness”, but they did not specify beyond that. He was replaced by Phillip Ervin, who would score the games first run on a Josh VanMeter single. Scooter Gennett would double later in the inning and bring in Yasiel Puig to make it 2-0.
After the Brewers tied the game up in the bottom of the inning, Joey Votto came through with a go-ahead single that scored Phillip Ervin. In the third inning they Reds played add on when Josh VanMeter punished a baseball 463 feet into the deep part of the park in Milwaukee to make it 4-2. But that was the last time the Reds would push a run across the plate on the day.
Josh VanMeter had himself a big day, going 3-4 with a double, home run, and 2 RBI. His OPS is up to .804 in the limited action he’s had in the Majors this season. Phillip Ervin was the only other Red to have multiple hits on the day, finishing 2-4.
Juan Graterol exited the game after taking a pair of foul balls off of his mask. The Reds catcher situation just continues to get worse.
The Pitching
Lucas Sims got the start for Cincinnati, his second of the year. After being given a 2-0 lead in the first he allowed both of those runs to come back in the bottom of the inning. He settled in after that, well, until the 5th inning. That’s when the Brewers went back to work. Keston Hiura led off with a home run. Orlando Arcia then walked before the next two hitters made easy outs. Lorenzo Cain, though, singled and that brought an end to the day for Sims. Amir Garrett then came on to face Christian Yelich and walked him. Yasmani Grandal then singled in two runs to put the Brewers on top 5-4.
Wandy Peralta came on after both Amir Garrett and Jared Hughes tossed 0.2 innings of relief. Peralta worked around two bases loaded situations in the 7th inning without giving up a run. Michael Lorenzen came on for the 8th inning and fired a perfect frame to give the Reds a chance to tie things up with a run in the top of the 9th. They didn’t.
Notes Worth Noting
The story of this game may wind up being Nick Senzel exiting the game. As noted above, during the game it was announced that he left the game with “illness”. Following the game manager David Bell said that he wasn’t feeling well, but didn’t really expand on that.
David Bell on FSO on Nick Senzel's exit due to "illness":
"He just wasn't feeling well. That's the first we knew of it when he got to first base. After running to first, he couldn't stay in there." #Reds @fox19
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) July 24, 2019
Josh VanMeter’s 463-foot home run was the longest of the season for the Cincinnati Reds.
Tucker Barnhart is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Louisville on Thursday…. but given the catching situation in Cincinnati, we will see how that goes.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds
Friday July 26th, 6:40pm
TBA for Colorado vs. Luis Castillo (9-3, 2.36 ERA)
Senzel seems to be snake bit? If his career went Nick Esasky then I think that would be about the final nail in the organizational coffin. He’s only 1 guy, but its not like most of their high draft picks are blossoming. Hopefully its nothing major, but how many times has he been sidelined in the last 2-3 years?
JVM!! The kid can hit! I saw it immediately…even when he started 1 for 12 or whatever. He’s selective and has a short swing! Its just figuring out where the pieces fit for next year!
Based on this year? Yes. Based on his previous 2 half seasons of abs and minor league numbers? I don’t think that’s definitive.
I like Ervin and Vanmeter too and hope they can be part of the new core, but don’t be too quick to make definitive statements after 100 abs. Then next year if they struggle (Winker’s 108 wrc+ isn’t even close to terrible) then what will you say?
Yeah I definitely agree the outfield looks pretty well set up for the future. SS and C are my biggest concerns as well, hoping Votto can be above average for a few more seasons at least.
My take too. I think right now Ervin may be the better overall player but it’s close and Winker’s offensive upside means he’s more likely to be the better overall player in the future.
They look good, but not for long enough to say that they could deal Puig w/confidence. Not to mention Senzel seems snakebit somewhat. I don’t know if Ervin a full-time CF candidate or Winker will ever hit lefties consistently either? It does feel like they can piece together a really good lineup if the 1B, SS, and C can produce enough!
Pete, I agree Winker could develop into a .400 OBP / 20 HR guy. He is close to it already, being on pace for 20 homers, and a career .375 OBP.