The Reds offense needed every last bit of their 10 runs as the bullpen tried their hardest to ruin a quality start from Wade Miley, giving up five runs in the 8th inning that tied up the game. It took a 3-run homer in the 9th by Tyler Naquin to get Cincinnati out of Minnesota with a win and end their 5-game losing streak.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (36-36) | 10 | 11 | 0 |
| Minnesota Twins (31-42) |
7 | 11 | 2 |
| W: Antone (2-0) L: Robles (3-4) SV: Garrett (4) |
|||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
Cincinnati grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd inning when Tucker Barnhart smacked a solo home run into the right field seats. In the 5th inning the team really went to work. Kyle Farmer and Tucker Barnhart singled to lead off the inning before Jonathan India walked to load the bases. Jesse Winker doubled in two runs off of the wall to put Cincinnati back in front, 3-2 after the Twins had taken the lead in the bottom of the 4th. Later in the inning Eugenio Suárez singled to plate another run, but Winker was thrown out at the plate by 10 feet after he inexplicably turned to look at the throw home while halfway to the plate himself. He may have been thrown out even had he not turned to look, but it was one heck of a TOOTBLAN (thrown out on the bases like a nincompoop).
Holding onto a 4-2 lead the Reds offense got things moving, and got a little help from the Twins defense. Tyler Naquin slapped a single the other way and Eugenio Suárez walked to begin the inning. Shogo Akiyama grounded into a force out to put runners on the corners. Kyle Farmer hit a grounder down the third base line that Miguel Sanó whiffed on that brought in a run and put runners on 2nd and 3rd base with just one out. The Twins brought the infielders in and Tucker Barnhart made them pay, somehow squeezing a grounder between 1st and 2nd base that must have missed both gloves by a matter of inches, leading to a 2-run single that made it 7-2.
After what had to feel like a great start to the 8th inning the Reds watched their 5-run lead disappear in the bottom of the inning, meaning they would need to get going once again in the top of the 9th if they wanted to win the game. Nick Castellanos did his part, lining a double off of the wall in left field with one out to put the go-ahead run in scoring position for Tyler Stephenson, but the Twins didn’t give him a full opportunity as he was hit by a pitch. That turned out to be a huge mistake as Tyler Naquin went down and got one, hitting a 420-foot opposite field homer to put Cincinnati back on top 10-7.
The Pitching
Wade MIley was cruising through the first three innings, giving up just a 2-out double to Nelson Cruz in the 1st. But in the 4th inning it was Cruz getting things started, this time with a single, and the Twins cashed in when Ryan Jeffers hit the first pitch he saw into the left field stands to put Minnesota up 2-1.
Cincinnati’s offense got some work done in the top of the 5th and gave Miley a 4-2 lead to work with. The lefty worked around a leadoff single to hold onto that lead in the bottom half of the frame. In the 6th inning Nelson Cruz once again proved to be kryptonite for Miley as he hit Cruz with a 70 MPH breaking ball in the first pitch he threw towards the plate (he missed the plate). The Reds starter worked around the baserunner, though, and kept the score at 4-2. After a scoreless 7th inning, Miley finished the game with a line of 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, no walks, and he struck out 6 batters – lowering his ERA to 2.85 on the season.
Art Warren entered the game in the bottom of the 8th inning and walked Jorge Polanco on four pitches to begin the inning. Max Kepler followed with a 2-run home run to make it 7-4 and you could hear the sigh from the greater Cincinnati area on the broadcast in Minnesota. Nelson Cruz must have been wishing for more Wade Miley because he struck out on three pitches before David Bell made the call to the bullpen to bring in Lucas Sims. The second pitch he threw to Trevor Larnach landed 434 feet away to make it a 7-5 game. Ryan Jeffers followed with a single to bring the tying run to the plate and Derek Johnson to the mound. Miguel Sano then hit an absolute laser off of the top of the wall – literally – for a double that moved Jeffers to 3rd base.
That brought David Bell to the mound to pull Sims and go to Tejay Antone, who hasn’t pitched since June 6th. The 2nd pitch from Antone hit the wall in center and the game was tied just like that. Antone got Andrelton Simmons to fly out to left and struck out pinch-hitter Luis Arraez to end the suffering – at least for the time being.
Tyler Naquin’s 3-run homer gave Amir Garrett a cushion to work with. He simply needed to record three outs before giving up three runs to seal the victory for Cincinnati. Jorge Polanco lined out to Shogo Akiyama in center for the first out of the inning. Garrett then won the match up of lefties and struck out Max Kepler. Nelson Cruz came through with a single up the middle, but Trevor Larnach had his bat shattered and grounded out to third base to end the game.
Notes Worth Noting
Before the game today the Reds announced that Jeff Hoffman would make a rehab start in Louisville tonight and that Sonny Gray would make a rehab start in Louisville on Thursday.
We’ve checked the notes here at Redleg Nation and have concluded that it is actually time to fix the bullpen. So Bob Castellini, if you’re reading this, now is the time.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds
Thursday June 24th, 7:10pm ET
TBA vs Tony Santillan (0-1, 4.70 ERA)
Glad we finally won one, but this game was hard to watch. The bullpen had a bunch of arsonist again. Antone’s big double he gave up was understandable, as he hadn’t pitched in ten days. Garrett finally performed well. The rest of the pen was pathetic again. Time to bring up Greene to pitch multiple innings.
Yep. Free Hunter Greene.
Greene gave up 4 home runs in his AAA debut. He’s going to be a stud but he needs some more time to develop.
Thank you. In a 7 ab inning four home runs is not what i am looking for
“We’ve checked the notes here at Redleg Nation and have concluded that it is actually time to fix the bullpen. So Bob Castellini, if you’re reading this, now is the time.”
Doug—you’re the best!
Since Castellini listens to you, ask for a SS also
I second that. If only Garcia was ready for a call-up.
Are you sure about the timing? I mean we don’t want to put any undo pressure on Big Bob do we?
Good to get a win today, after winning 6 straight, then losing 5 straight. A 4-5 road trip isn’t horrible, but it’s not what we all hoped after sweeping the Brewers.
BTW, anyone know where I can stream the games? I can no longer get it on YouTube TV or Hulu. MLB.TV considers me in blackout range, even though I’m 5 hours away. It’s been all radio for me this year…for the first time in my 54 years.
First time in 66yrs. for me. If I want to watch the Reds I have to buy a premium cable package. No thanks.
Maybe AT&T TV, at least if this article from early May is still correct:
https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/whats-happening-with-the-bally-sports-app-and-bally-sports-rsns/
ATT website will offer Bally Sports Cincinnati on a regional basis… I checked website and as far as I can tell it’s included in the 69.99/mo package. But you have to give your zip code to see if that channel is included, so I’m guessing if you are outside of Cincinnati it won’t be included.
This is still too high for me. I choose not to pay. I have wondered ATT would reduce that since I’m ATT phone customer, but haven’t checked into it. I have enough money, but that is more than I pay for Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon prime combined. I choose not to support MLB on TV unless they drop the blackout policy. I may consider standalone Bally subscription next year if it is offered, but am not thrilled at the idea of having to use a gambling app to watch Reds. For now I choose to watch the FCC games over-the-air on Star 64 (God help me, they are awful), occasionally listen to radio broadcast, and go to a few games at GABP.
I’m using Uzzu.tv
Not sure if it will last all season – but so far so good
I watch all the games via sportssurge.net — follow the baseball link and then the listing for the specific game. They provide a lot of “channels”, both home and away feeds. I like Sports Nights and Bilasports best.
I gave up cable/satellite tv and have only listened on radio. Takes me back to childhood in upstate NY listening to the Yankees on the radio. Really enjoy Cowboy and Tommy Thrall.
There are multiple sites you can stream from for free, google should give you something if you dig enough, a few were mentioned here. I recommend an ad blocker for those sorts of sites.
On the bright side, Sean Doolittle doesn’t look half as bad right now.
This team needs a day off.
is that because he didn’t pitch today?
Yep. And everyone who did looked just as bad as him.
Atta Baby Amir!
What else is there to say? This team is likable and never gives up. They can score runs, the starting pitching is decent, and the bullpen is completely atrocious. Rinse and repeat.
Positives:
Geno definitely looks better. Maybe he’ll actually go on a heater at some point? Tucker had a great series too! He fell off some lately, but that was to be expected. The offense has some weapons for sure!
Hoffman & Sonny are rehabbing and should be back. I think Hoffman can help the pen! Its impossible to be any worse. Somebody has to win the garbage NL Central.
Oh and Heineman is gone. Only voodoo doll I have left now is Doolittle.
Keep sticking those pins deep into that Do Little doll
I Cleted when things went to 7-7. The adaptation of *Casey at the Bat* into *Antone on the Mound* was a bridge too far for me. Glad the guys sucked it up and got 3 more and even more glad Garrett was able to hold the fort in the ninth (true confession: the real reason I Cleted was I figured no matter how many runs the Reds scored, the Twins would end up with more before they ran out of outs).
This felt as much of a “must win” as I’ve seen in a while. Glad we could see it through and the better AG showed up when needed.
All that no good, horrible, 5 game losing streak and this team is still only 3.5 games out of 1st place in the division.
Every team on the NL central is flawed. While the Pirates are irredeemably flawed, every other team in the division has a shot at making the playoffs. There’s no reason it can’t be the Reds.
I will admit, I was giving Naquin the “why is he getting PT” eye going into today. Definitely put that to rest today. Good definitive win.
Try out the ‘why is Stephenson playing firstbase vs RHP’ eye … splitting less than .170 now in all ABs there and only ‘slugging’ .337 vs RHP overall (1 HR/5 2Bs circa 125 PA) but mad skillz at getting on base 19 BB/3 HBP … which would inform a classic Catcher hitting 8th profile or maybe even #2 behind a LH leadoff man … now, strictly vs LHP he does almost justify occupying a middle of the lineup slot, for he rakes vs LHP … o for 4 w/ 1 HBP today at 1B cleanup vs RHP … amazing eyeball for balls & strikes and hand eye coordination, like most catchers
Votto getting suspended caused that. Any other reason and you would be right.
clearly not talking about just today … this was his slash line at strictly fist base before today’s o/4 … 47 PA .171/.383/.200 with 11 BB, 1 HBP, 6 singles, 1 double … those starts come against RHP … almost as bad as a PH – 17 AB .176/.263/.353 … he truly rocks at C vs LHP when he gets his starts ( and about half his AB are vs RHP) it’s ome interesting split stats to break down, albeit a smallish sample. The perception of him has been largely colored by a .36o April … and in fairness, the 1st base postional project may have severely hindered his hitting to the tune of a .188/.291/.290 May … chicken or egg?
Catching vs LHP is where he really shines … some interesting splits to try to analyze … he’s been streaky too with a .333/.519/.590 june with little to no 1B play until today
I loved Naquin putting down a bunt single against the shift. It drives me crazy when the other team is giving you a hit by playing that shift if you can just lay a bunt down.
At this point, I am just hoping Antone (and for that matter Sims too) are healthy and on the active roster come game time Thursday. Got to wonder if maybe they have been ridden hard and put away wet once too often and are in need of more extended rest.
Both are high effort fastball/sinker/splitter/slider artists and/or featuring high spin rate approaches so one could worry about that too, both grip and arm issues … seems to be a sentiment they both need to pitch more & more often than is likely that healthy over the long run … Antone in particular is like the ‘fine china’ only for the proper ‘guests’ .. don’t waste him getting outs against 7-8-9 in the lineup … Bell takes a lot of unjustified heat for his careful management of their usage, particularly over multiple innings at a time that he’s clearly trying to minimize in the interest of frequency of high leverage availability over the longer haul
Many times over the recent years, I’ve read and even come to believe that it is foolish to pay for relievers as they are inconsistent from year to year and the money is better spent elsewhere. Serious quandry for front office at this point – at least a fair amount is their own doing – but, do we really want them to overpay for bullpen help at this point? YES OF COURSE, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS, is the kneejerk but really?
Would be curious if the money allotment for relievers is still largely considered a waste when quite obviously has been an anchor to this team to date? Raisel doesn’t look quite as bad these days….
Normally I would 100% agree with you on the cost of relievers. I think the baseball prospectus people quoted a general principle, they would not go so far to quote it as a rule, about never trading position prospects to pick up a reliever. But when you look at the mlb or athletic trade candidate lists, there are multiple candidates who seem to fall into the one-year cheap rental or cost controlled a couple year buckets. I think the former fits because we appear to be cashed out (totally leaving aside the question of whether we should be) and the latter might the window of contention better.
I think there is a strong argument that even with a couple of relievers, this may not be a playoff team let alone a WS team. I can also see the argument that in that scenario objectively you maybe trade Castellanos if you can get something better than a QO pick and look to the future. But subjectively, this is a fun team, they are about to get some pitching back, and relievers generally do not cost that much in trade capital. And the bullpen is just such an obvious gaping wound, to Matt’s point, I feel like it is fair to ask they do SOMETHING.
Before the Reds go all in trading for relievers, we need to see which pitchers were making their living using sticky stuff to get spin rate. It’s possible that a lot of pitchers end up not very good without the secret sauce.
It’s was pretty clear last night that Mahle struggled with control and locating pitches in away that suggested to me he’s been using a substance. I’m not mad – baseball looked the other way and players did what they had to do to stay in the league. But if pitchers stop the goo, it will have an impact on performance.
Speaking of which, I wish I had visited driveline to see all the different goops they used to help pitchers get spin.
That’s a fair point on the sticky stuff fallout and evaluating effectiveness … and Hoffman as a reliever not exposed vs a second time vs a lineup does offer some hope (albeit he walks too many) and Gray returning allowing possibly Santillan a more favorable relief use profile (limited pitch repertoire, less repeat exposure) … there may also be some benefit with a jelling of the bullpen to be gained with certain parts further sorting themselves out
I think that view of relief pitchers predates the current usage of starting pitchers–the 3 times through the batting order theory and reluctance to overuse high-effort pitchers. The bullpen now regularly covers nearly half of the innings, so it has increased importance. And, most telling point of all, the prevailing consensus at RLN is that a lousy bullpen is all that is stopping the Reds from running away with the division.
Players on this team are actually taking the time to figure out new ways to get on base, beating the shift with slaps and bunts to the wide open left side of the infield.
Kudos to Barnhart and Naquin for actually taking the time to add easy points to their batting average and helping the team win….
There was a subthread on the game link about how we never bunt, especially against a hard shift, and then we did. It was a pleasant reverse jinx.
I like this team and the players. Its crazy game to game and they are deeply flawed in areas but theres far more contributions from many more players. Last year was dominant SP from a few guys and 2-1 losses and 3-2 wins and that was about it
Cowboy said bullpen has some arms but pitching isnt throwing your best off speed pitch all the time or max effort velocity every pitch. He said thats the biggest problem in the bullpen.
Cowboy said Amir Garrett is starting to pitch and not throw and everyone else is throwing.
Offense went too far into Launch angles and home runs in 2019/20 and pitching has gone too far into velocity and unilateralism with one pitcher having one good pitch and throwing it all the time
Miley is laughing at everyone
That said- reds a need a dominant lefty arm in the bullpen yesterday
I keep hoping Brandon Finnegan could emerge as that LH bullpen arm given his strong run deep into spring training. Unfortunately, he remains erratic at AAA.
Tonight he was on to pitch the 10th inning for the bats, starting out of course with the gift runner on 2b. He K’d the 1st 2 batters on 11 pitches (only 3 balls) but then seemed to lose his touch completely in walking the next 2, loading the bases. Then just as quickly he found himself and successfully K’d the next hitter on 5 pitches to close out the inning successfully. The Bats won the game on a walk off grand salami (Michael DeLeon) in their half of the 10th.
Is it my imagination, or is Castellanos cooling off a bit. Winker, too. A bit. The homers have stopped, seemingly.
Bell has to play Reliever Roulette every game! I hate the one (1) pitcher per inning thing Bell he seems to favor! Good to get the win and get outta town! Good job by AG and glad to get a rusty TA back! Tough home stand ahead but still in the hunt for a NL Central title!
The Reds need more than twicking on the relief staff to compete for the NLC title.
Tyler Naquin has to be part of the OF equation in 2022. When- not if- Castellanos leaves, an Aquino/naquin platoon in RF would be a legit plan with both providing depth / bench power and multi position versatility.
Half agree. Also ok with using him as trade bait for a LHrP and more. We are set in OF even without Casti Aquino will be a force to be reckoned with in the Future and the reds need to hold onto him. If Naquin stays then yes.
I’m good with trading Naquin, for a quality reliever. I agree we’d be in good shape without Castellanos and Naquin in 22. Winker, Shogo, Aquino, and Senzel would be a good 4 man outfield. That being said, (hold the laughter) I’d make extending Castellanos my top priority in the offseason. That’s probably as likely as retaining Bauer, after last season.
If Casti leaves, I would prefer Naquin in center, Aquino in right field and Akiyama, if he’s not traded, the 4th. outfielder.
At this point I agree…you gotta keep Naquin. His approach at the plate is very impressive…not only bunting against the shift, but clearly going with the pitch and not trying to overswing…even his HR looked like he just went down and swung easy. Also, as much as I would love for Aquino to be who we all want him to be…I’m not yet convinced. All this is assuming Castellano won’t stay…sure would hate to trade him, if there’s a chance he’d stay. If the Reds are still in the hunt at the deadline, I don’t see how you can trade him.
Man, Naquin must have some awesome power. On the HR he hit he had kind of a lunging swing at a pitch moving away from him, hit it kind of off the end of the bat, and still had enough to hit the ball easily over the fence the opposite way. Pretty amazing!
Yeah, today with Naquin and Akiyama both playing I thought the reasons Naquin has won that job over Akiyama jumped out. What was he? 3 of 4 before the big hit? I like a lot about Akiyama but at the overall level Naquin has played this year, Akiyama can’t compete at least not at this stage of their respective careers.
And Reds fans should also maybe take comfort that after looking like a borderline bust largely due to injuries, Naquin, a #15 overall draft pick, seems to be finding his projected level. Maybe there is still hope for Nick Senzel, a top 5 pick, too.
The batting stance of Tyler Naquin reminds me a bit of the grandfather of David Bell, Gus Bell, the Red’s centerfielder in the 50’s. When Senzel is physically fit if he plays in the infield, preferably third base, things will workout.
@TR> Even with Moose out, I’m not sure who sits in the OF or infield for Senzel unless they bring back Suarez at SS. Over the last 30 day Suarez for all his issues has OPSed a bit over .700 which is right at Senzel’s career level and better than his 2021 mark before he went down. Over the same period Suarez has also chipped in 6 HR to Senzel’s 1 all season. It is more of the same looking at Senzel vs Aquino as a RH hitting platoon partner for Naquin.
I would not be surprised if Senzel was sent on an extended rehab assignment then subsequently activated and simultaneously optioned to AAA.
Naquin leans back like Winker, too
Speaking of high priced trade chips, Wade Miley ain’t a bad one!
This game sure didn’t feel like “a win is a win” type of game. This team will go nowhere with its current bullpen.
1-talentless teams playing bad baseball (tootblans, poor fundamentals, inept GM, questionable coaching)
2-talentless teams playing good baseball
3-talented teams playing bad baseball
4- playoff/WS contenders.
They’re at .500, 36-36, still before mid-season/all star break.
They’re also somewhere between 2.75 and 3.25 on the scale above, but a savvy FO could add a full point almost immediately, perhaps with 2 trades.
The question is will Big Bob give the ok. No statistics to back it up, but I think most successful teams over the years have had ownership that allowed the GM and his assistants to run the operation.
One more thing, can they clean up the poor baserunning and getting picked off?
With the unpredictable bullpen each night, they can’t afford to give up potential runs.
Glad that Heineman was sent down, one less AAA player on 25 man. Now to release Doolittle and get another non performer off the roster. I was kind of sorry to hear that Hoffman was coming back as a starter, I feel as if Guiterrez has done well and deserves to stay in rotation.
+1,000
Did they say Hoffman is coming back as starter? He’s starting in Louisville to get guaranteed innings but not sure he will returnnas starter.
I do believe they said he was coming back as a starter. Hope i’m wrong.
Well he only went 2 innings in his rehab start. Don’t know if he had a bullpen after that so it doesn’t scream starter to me.
Apparently, starter it is. This is what Bell said yesterday:
“He’ll build up each time out, add to his work each time. At this point, the plan is to build him back up as a starter,” Reds manager David Bell said. “It’s part of making sure his shoulder is in good shape, building back up when he gets back. I think the more we build him up, the better off he’ll be and the better off we will be. I think it’ll just put him in a better position to help us. All indications are he is healthy and he’s back pitching.”
I would put him in the pen, but I am not the manager …
We really need to note that doing his rehab work as a starter does not mean he’s returning to the rotation in Cincinnati when he’s ready to come back. It *could* mean that. But that isn’t for sure what it means.
Yeah, I thought about that later. Bell’s comments could really be taken either way. (Again, if it were me — bullpen.)
Hey, we signed malik smith jr. Wait….who is malik smith jr?
A lock down relief pitcher
Just kidding
He had some promise once, but never established himself after his good rookie season. He’s depth, maybe he takes over heineman’s spot on the depth chart. No risk so fine signing by me.
Replacement for Dwight Smith Jr who was recently released from AAA. Jesting but also true and accurate.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithma05.shtml