TJ Friedl had himself a game on Wednesday night. The center fielder robbed a home run, stole a base, had three hits, and he scored three runs as he, Andrew Abbott, and the Reds bullpen held Cleveland to two runs in Cincinnati’s 7-2 win over the Guardians to earn a series split with their in-state rivals.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Guardians (58-63) |
2 | 9 | 4 |
| Cincinnati Reds (63-59) |
7 | 11 | 0 |
| W: Abbott (8-3) L: Syndergaard (2-6) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
After Cleveland came up empty in the top of the 1st inning, Cincinnati was ready to get rolling in the bottom half. TJ Friedl led off with a single and then scored when Matt McLain followed up with a double to the wall in left center to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. Spencer Steer would be hit by a pitch later in the inning and steal second base, but both he and McLain would be stranded as the club could only push across one run.
The Guardians got a single from Brayan Occhio to begin the inning with a single. After a strikeout, Gabriel Arias lined out to a leaping Matt McLain. He fired to first when he landed, but threw the ball by Joey Votto at first and Occhio took off for second base. The Reds appealed on a throw over to first and he was ruled safe. Then manager David Bell challenged the play. After review it was overturned with Occhio having come back beyond first base and did not touch the bag before heading to second and the inning was over on a double play.
In the top of the 3rd inning Cleveland got another leadoff single, this time from Myles Straw. He would take second base on a fly out and then score on a 2-out single from Jose Ramirez that tied the game up at 1-1. Ramon Laureano then crushed an Andrew Abbott change up to center, but TJ Friedl jumped at the wall and reached over it to rob him of a 2-run homer to end the inning.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand led off the bottom of the 4th and then scored when Stuart Fairchild crushed a 427-foot home run into the left field seats. The Reds weren’t done for the inning, though. TJ Friedl would single with two outs, steal second base, and then come in to score when Matt McLain hit the team’s second 2-run homer of the inning as Cincinnati extended their lead to 5-1.
Cleveland immediately got one of those runs back when Gabriel Arias led off with a solo homer that landed just beneath the power stacks in right center. A single from Myles Straw would follow, but Andrew Abbott worked his way out of the frame with a 5-2 lead. Cincinnati would get that run back in the bottom of the inning after Joey Votto singled with one out and moved up to second when Christian Encarnacion-Strand walked. Both moved up a base when Stuart Fairchild got the green light on a 3-0 count and singled, loading the bases for Will Benson. The Guardians called on reliever Daniel Norris to take over for Noah Syndergaard and got a ground out, but Votto scored to make it 6-2.
TJ Friedl led off the inning with a bunt single and he would move up to second base when Jose Ramirez made an error with two outs on a grounder by Spencer Steer. Joey Votto then lined a single into left and Friedl came around to score and make it 7-2. Christian Encarnacion-Strand then walked on four pitches to load the bases. Cleveland called on Eli Morgan to enter the game to face Stuart Fairchild and the move worked for the Guardians as he induced a shallow fly ball to center to end the inning and strand the bases loaded.
Sam Moll took over for the Reds in the 7th and pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. Derek Law entered from the bullpen for the 8th and gave up a 1-out single to Jose Ramirez, but got a double play to end the inning and face the minimum.
Cincinnati would get a single from Matt McLain and a walk from Elly De La Cruz to lead off the bottom of the 8th inning and both would steal the base in front of them to put two men in scoring position with no outs, but a fly out was followed up by back-to-back strikeouts to strand them there.
Holding a five run lead, the Reds sent Alan Busenitz to the mound for the 9th inning. He’d get a fly out to start the inning, but Brayan Rocchio singled on the first pitch he saw. Tyler Freeman would follow up with a grounder to Elly De La Cruz who started a game ending double play as Cincinnati earned a split of the series.
Key Moment of the Game
Matt McLain’s 2-run home run in the 4th inning. That turned the game from a bloop-and-a-blast range into a grand slam range kind of ballgame.
Notes Worth Noting
Since giving up three runs in 1.1 innings on June 6th and having his ERA reach 7.29, Fernando Cruz has thrown 29.1 innings across 28 games pitched in while walking 12 batters and striking out 44 to go along with a 3.38 ERA.
Sam Moll now has 11 strikeouts and one walk in his 7.2 innings since joining the Reds to go along with his 2.35 ERA.
From Joel Luckhaupt: The Cincinnati Reds are the first MLB team with three rookies who all had at least 10 steals and 10 home runs in the same season. Matt McLain stole two bags in the game, taking him from nine on the year to 11.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Toronto Blue Jays vs Cincinnati Reds
Friday August 18th, 6:40pm ET
Jose Berrios (9-8, 3.53 ERA) vs TBA
A big win. The offense comes alive with outstanding pitching and zero walks given up.
Offense! Great to see it. WTG, Friedl. Abbott great. Cruz, Moll, Law, and Busenitz all sharp. Two things guys: EDLC 0-4 (finally got a walk) – in the 6th inning struck out looking at 3 straight 90mph fastballs right in the middle of the plate. What’s up with that? And in the 8th – runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs, heart of the order and nothing – a lazy fly ball and two whiffs. Can’t happen. Our two best pitchers are behind us facing Toronto…
The problem is he’s looked so bad on so many breaking balls in the dirt that he’s going up there looking for breaking balls now, so the fastballs are just paralyzing him
Well, then he’s simply mystified. Not good.
Pitching was good but Friedl was definitely the star of the game.
Have to start building momentum if we want a shot. Have to start soon.
Sorry for all my negative posts tonight under the game thread! Just a carryover of the frustration from last night’s loss!
Great win! Abbott should get some votes for ROY!
Friedl was outstanding in CF tonight with 2 highlight catches!
Finally, Go Dodgers!
I don’t think the guys were not trying last night, but they had never seen that guy before, and maybe he was just “on”. It happens. The game is over, there’s no reason to mope about it now.
He was one of those crafty lefthanders, who did have a good fastball. Constantly changing speeds and location.
This baseball game, it’s not as easy as it looks. I know it was all David Bell’s fault they lost 3-0 Tuesday night, but he didn’t have one at bat, pitched no innings and didn’t play in the field.
Again, I hated hitting, or trying to hit, lefties when I played HS baseball. Nothing normal with pitches coming from the wrong side of the pitching mound, spinning the wrong direction, etc.!
hey Dennis if you have watched the reds consistently for the past 25 years you have every right to be negative, pessimistic, skeptical, etc,etc…
of course we all hope the reds fortunes will turn around but like I have said many times 21st century major league baseball seems to have passed us by. we remain a franchise “lost at sea”
Friedl needs to play every game – maybe a night off a week as a DH to rest the legs. We need his offense in the lineup every game. McLain getting back on track.
Great pitching – as usual by Abbott. And great job by the bullpen covering 4 innings. Surprised Weaver wasn’t tried in the pen but he definitely didn’t need to start again.
Agree. Benson, too. Give them a solid shot against lefties and see what they can do. Votto got a hit and RBI against a leftie today.
Friedl play every day?
Woah, hold your horses there.
Friedl is only hitting 0.300 against left handed pitches.
He clearly needs to ride the bench on those days, so guys like Newman (0.270 vs LHP), Ramos (0.260), Fairchild (0.240 vs LHP), and Hopkins (0.170 vs LHP) can get those at bats.
You don’t want your best players playing every day. You need to bench them. That’s how David Bell can show us he is “managing”.
It is analytics. Five years ago everyone wanted the Reds to expand their use of analytics. This is what analytics looks like.
It also may have something to do with giving Friedl a bit of protection: he plays hard and isn’t a big guy. He gets dinged-up and injured.
The next twenty games for the Reds include a ten game swing out west, the teams the Reds play over the next 20 games are all near or above .500.
As far as I’m concerned the season is on the line starting Friday, ditch the Viking garbage and start playing some competitive baseball again. Batters other than Benson need to start working the counts again and becoming more patient like they were when this team was playing well.
I’m predicting 10-10 and then the last month appears to be easier on paper. Hopefully they can survive the upcoming road trip after the Bluejays series and finish on a high note.
Agree 100% BatsLeft. Next 20 games will be the “make or break” stretch for the Reds. They will facing very tough pitching from the Blue Jays and then go to the west coast for 11 game swing. Reds have played better on west coast than in years past, but still a tough road trip. Then back home for 7 against the Cubs and Mariners.
I really hope I’m wrong, but I think your 10-10 prediction is optimistic. We shall see.
Cubs got out of the top of the 8th bases loaded nobody out and the crowd went nuts. I knew they’d have a shot to win and they hit a walk off hr. Our crowd gets pretty fired up, but it doesn’t seem to get our guys going? Too many tough losses at home. They still have a decent shot if the offense gets a 2nd wind
Cubs were already down 3-0 top of the 8th
I can’t believe they threw Morel a strike in that situation.
We must be watching different teams. I’ve seen a fire in this Reds team I haven’t seen in a while. They get fired up. They get the crowd into it. They win close games (see their 1 run game record). They lead MLB in come from behind wins. This whole narrative so many are putting out there on this website about this team lately is absurd.
To borrow from a song 5 or 6 decades ago, the best way to describe this Reds team is When they’re hot, they’re hot. When they’re not, they’re not. This holds true within games, from game to game, and series to series.
Creds to Jerry Reed, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”.
I’m evidently watching the same team you are, Luke. Jim: good call on the old Jerry Reed song.
Can we schedule Syndegard for more starts?
You’re welcome.
Go Dodgers! JV should not be batting higher than 7th. EDLC, possibly 8th or 9th until he learn to put the ball in play more, bunts more often, and becomes a more disciplined base runner. His chances of stealing second are much higher than trying to stretch for an another base. Benson should be hitting 6th. Finally, Weaver DFA, way past due on this one. Still leaving too many runners in scoring position without pushing a run across even with a sac fly, a productive out is valuable and sometimes is the difference between winning or loosing a close game.
Does anybody know or have any info as to why Lowder and Floyd haven’t been assigned to a minor league team yet ? I keep seeing that they are unassigned ??? Just seems strange to me …. Not seeing any info as to the reasoning .
Badly needed win tonight also ! Brewers in process of going down again … currently losing 6-1 bottom 6th
The reason is that they had a long college season and there’s no need or reason to bring them back to pitch after having more than a month off after their college seasons ended. It’s not strange. It’s how a lot of pitchers are treated now that the draft is in mid-to-late July instead of the first or second week of June.
MLB’s insistence to try and make the draft into something has really screwed up the developmental aspect of guys in their first year as pros. Used to be that guys would get 150-250 plate appearances and some pitchers would get actual mound time when they would be able to take the field on like June 15th. Now draft picks don’t get on the field until like August, if at all, because the draft was pushed back to All-Star weekend just so they could televise it and try to make it a bigger real than anyone will ever let it be.
It’s really more the norm that new draft picks don’t pitch in the season they are drafted due to the long time off between the end of their season and when they sign.
Doug has addressed this over at his Redsminorleagues.com site.
I’m really not sure any benefit they get by warning up to start then pitch one inning. Was there truly any benefit for Hunter Greene to pitch 4.1 innings his first year after draft other than selling tickets in Billings. The new guys are probably getting more benefit from conditioning sessions, a few bullpens and recovery from College season.
The 1, 2 combo of Friedl, McLain is looking pretty good. If I were Bell, I’d let EDLC sit a game, or 2, and drop Benson down to the 3 hole, and when EDLC returns,
I’d run TF, MM, WB, SS, EDLC, CES, JV, TS, then whoever is the 3rd OF of the day.
That’s coming from a guy who wanted, and wants EDLC to get as many AB’s as possible. I think he needs a bucket of cold water thrown in his face to wake him up. I don’t want him to lose his enthusiasm, but he needs to become more focused.
I like this plan and agree MBS
I was amazed to find out that 4 of the Braves field starters have played in every game this year thus far. Snitker was quoted as saying: “I don’t believe in rest days because every time they come back from one, they have to make an adjustment.”
Regardless of the David Bell “rest day” policies, EDLC and perhaps a couple others (and India a month ago) should get a day off (or more) because they need to make an adjustment.
“Snitker was quoted as saying: “I don’t believe in rest days because every time they come back from one, they have to make an adjustment.”
Interesting. I’ve always said when a player is hot and has the momentum going leave him alone while he’s seeing the ball well. When you lose that it’s hard to get it back sometimes. When he show’s signs of fatigue or in a slump he needs adjustments anyway so give him a day off. Of course this is a general rule and you cannot treat everyone the same. Whatever is going on with the Braves it’s obviously working. Their considered by many to be the best team in baseball.
See my comment above regarding his rather lackluster plate performance in the 6th inning.
Great win, great catch by Friedl wow. Not a lot of guys producing in the lineup consistently but really hoping De La Cruz is moved down to 7th or 8th in the lineup soon. He’s hit in the 220s-230s with an OBP below .300 if I was reading stats correctly from July 1st till now. I think Bell got caught up in the hype of De La Cruz’s effect on the lineup from the first few weeks and he’s been slow to make the change. He’s not helping the Reds batting high in the order right now. Take the pressure off and anything he does out of the 7th, 8th spot would be a positive.
It’d be interesting to see Benson batting high in the order maybe 2nd…I think right now the thought is he’s hitting so well because of little pressure being lower in the order. Maybe so but we really don’t know. The psychological/mental part I’m sure is an important part of what a Manager handles in the clubhouse/lineup.
This looks like a really tough series I think coming up with the Blue Jays. They have strong starters all 3 days. It almost looks a little like a mismatch in the Blue Jays favor to me. Not trying to be negative but just an opinion. A challenge for sure for the Reds. Hopefully that brings out the best in guys like De La Cruz, Steer, Votto. Glad Bichette might play for the Jays. I think it’s fun to see the other team’s best and see how you stack up against them. Really would be nice to have Fraley for a series like this, a somewhat more veteran bat in the lineup. Hopefully they are good games, and the Reds can pull off two of 3, but right now I’d predict the Reds winning one over the weekend.
Yes, three strong starters including a lefty for game 3. Good luck, Reds.
Brewers lost. Somehow we’re still only 2 1/2 games back (three in the lost column). The division is ours if we want it.
Along with the ALE (O’s and Rays), the three-way NLC race could go down to the wire including the wild card.
From Doug’s MiLB review.
“Jose Barrero continues to hit well for Louisville. After a slow start in his first two weeks after being optioned, Barrero has hit .328/.395/.634 in his last 36 games for Louisville with 13 steals.”
The steals might be his biggest asset for a late game runner/replacement. All the guys coming back and somehow you have to make a choice between Newman or Barrero for keeping on the 40 man roster. Which one?
And come September who are going to be the 14 position guys?
Seems very unlikely either India or Fraley will be ready before 10 days to 2 weeks into the month at best.
For a starting point, let’s presume this locks in the current 13 barring injury. Who gets the position player expansion slot? Barrero? Senzel? Marte? These 3 are on the 40 man. Casali reactivated or maybe Chuckie Robinson instead as a 3rd catcher? He would also require a 40 man move.
Easy choice there. I don’t know if bell will play him but Barrero will play somewhere else in the bigs, even if he never gets chance in Cincy.
Jose Barrero is probably sell-high trade bait at this point. I’ve always liked him, but there’s no space. If he finishes his season on a high note, he could be a valuable piece on the move over winter.
Nice win, and sorely needed. Good all around team effort with a special nod to Friedl and Abbott. As for Newman v. Barrero, give me Barrero all day long. If the Reds insist on keeping Newman instead for that gritty veteran flavor, trade Barrero for a young outfield prospect with similar upside. Jose Barrero will be a productive major leaguer somewhere – the Reds shouldn’t squander that.
I’d agree if I knew which Barrero it would be: the one who tears up AAA, or the one who didn’t hit in MLB. His role would probably be similar to his role before, so if his problem is not getting enough playing time, he might not be the answer.
I agree with green. Everybody hits well in AAA.
I would feel a lot better about the Reds chances of sneaking into the playoffs if the Cubs had not recently emerged. Seems like they are experiencing a run similar to what the Reds had in June/July and just can’t lose. Stupid Cubs.
Sox were up 3-0 but Cubbies took it 4-3 on a walk-off.
Nice win coupled with a Brewers loss. Great way to end the evening.
Have to admit that prior to the start of the season I would not have predicted the team would be in this position and have a chance to make the playoffs.
Needs repeated- Notes Worth Noting
Since giving up three runs in 1.1 innings on June 6th and having his ERA reach 7.29, Fernando Cruz has thrown 29.1 innings across 28 games pitched in while walking 12 batters and striking out 44 to go along with a 3.38 ERA.
Sam Moll now has 11 strikeouts and one walk in his 7.2 innings since joining the Reds to go along with his 2.35 ERA.
What a pick up Moll has been!!
It’s increasingly obvious that GM Krall has the touch.
This win means that Reds assured not to lose 100 this season and passed the win total of 2022 just being August 16th.
Abbott just throwing 5 IP on 83 pitches is a signal of they are cutting his action down the stretch apparently.
The team looks total different when playing against RHP as Friedl, Benson, Votto are in the lineup even Fraley is missed a lot.
I don’t know about cutting his innings but when he threw all those pitches in the one game , he looked terrible the next game or two. I think they keep him around 80 pitches every game.
I would say it is a sign of typical Bell managing of starting pitchers…hair triggered
It’s pretty much the norm across MLB: starters don’t go deep into games.
In the post game interview, Bell said they lifted him because they had a good lead and while they plan for Abbott to pitch through the end of the season, last night provided an opportunity to give him a break.
Couple notes from my armchair:
1. Fairchild starting to heat up a bit – good to see.
2. Reds making bolder moves (even though they take time) – Weaver & Senzel down to AAA.
3. Next west coast trip is huge but I think this group is built to play well in the big parks out west.
4. Hunter G working on a splitter?! Oh my!
5. If we get HG, NL & BL (pen or #5) back for a stretch run, last 40 days will be interesting – which is all we can ask for.
Let’s enjoy meaningful Aug/Sept baseball!
one additional thought…
Reds MiLB teams are competitive top to bottom. Solid draft plan, solid development system, home-grown talent, competitive at every level.
The Reds organization is doing many things well. Hard to argue with results!
“The Reds organization is doing many things well.” And if I may add in spite of Manager Bell recently being extended for three more years.
i agree. I am concerned about this weekends series more than the west coast series. we have not played well at home this year. combination of stage fright and also like you mentioned, we play better in fields with bigger dimensions.
In 2022, with the Reds Fairchild had a seasonal BA/OPB/SLG/OPS line of 279/ .374/ .523/ .897 in 99 total PAs.
After he was called up to stay in Mid August of 2022 the same line for him was 306/ .390/ .556/ .946 in 82 PAs.
In June of this year, Fairchild was right along with Benson getting regular playing time when a rotating combination of Friedl, India, Fraley, and Meyers were on and off the IL and the Reds got into the grove of the 12 game winning streak. His BA/OPS line from June 3 until he was optioned was .257/ .381/ .543/ .924 in 43PAs. As a team, the Reds were 12-2 over this stretch.
I think the bad news/ good news we’ve seen is that Fairchild is *not* well suited to be the right handed side of a strict platoon system where he typically gets a start a week or 3 starts in 2 weeks and is pulled out of the game when an RH pitcher enters or inserted mid game when a LH pitcher enters a game started by a RH pitcher.
On the other side when Fairchild plays more regularly, say 4-6 starts in 2 weeks as a traditional 4th OF and typically plays the entire game, he more than pulls his weight offensively.
If he doesn’t fit the Reds profile, so be it. In that case, they should do the team and Fairchild both a favor and move him for incoming value.
@jim: good observations was statistical data to back it up. I think Fairchild has a place on the roster until either Blake Dunn or Rece Hinds are ready. Don’t know when that is could be very soon or could be another year or so away. These two guys look like real studs. Nothing against Fairchild.
It warmed my heart to see Lodolo, Williamson and Ashcraft hanging out the dugout together. Knowing all the while that Andrew Abbet and Hunter Greene are right there as well. I’ll say it right now, next year at this time the Reds could have the strongest roster in all the major league baseball. Still young but as far as pure talent goes, I don’t think they will have a peer. Wishing everyone a long life because this could go on for quite a while.
Agreed. Fairchild is an excellent fourth outfielder–he’s statistically the Red’s strongest bench player. As I’ve said many times, and you have provided the data to back the assertion, he could start on several teams. I’m not sure how well he will fit next year, but to have a slightly below-league-average outfielder available to plug in when a starter hits the IL is something good teams have.
@Pete – as long as they stay healthy, that is.
Very satisfying win last night. Day off today will provide a respite for the players, but is always tough on fans who want to see baseball. Will be interesting to see how the weekend with Toronto plays out. They are clinging to a WC spot and we’re trying to do the same. Difference is, we still have a legitimate shot at winning the NLC where they won’t win the ALE (barring a significant miracle).
Trying to push memories of 2021 far from my mind and, as always, hoping the Stupid Cubs will Cub going forward.
No way Senzel makes those catches Freidl did last night!
Nope. He’d give a good effort, but his skills aren’t up to TJ’s level.
Nick had a horrible day in the field yesterday for the Bats. Wishing him nothing but the best but I hope I never see him in a Cincinnati Reds uniform again. Reminds me too much of a past that I’m not thrilled about.
What the heck do you think was going on with Senzel on the one fly ball when he stood just like a statue and seemed to still be disoriented as Siani ran almost over to straight away RF and picked it up off the warning track?? This was right in the middle of Iowa’s 7 run inning.
He had a Canseco moment, actually two of them. A couple of things later. Siani saved him from further embarrassment. Just took control of the play.
Back to Fairchild, he is the only other centerfielder they currently have on the roster. I think they keep him until Blake Dunn makes his arrival. Then things are going to get very interesting. Don’t know if you ever get to watch any Chattanooga games but I am very very bullish on him. Does everything well and scrappy as any Red that I’ve seen since Pete Rose. Just as an example, he will never get out of the way of a pitched ball. Just an awesome player. The man’s uniform stays dirty! In my opinion, the only way Blake doesn’t make it is if he suffers debilitating injuries.
A couple of innings later…. I need to quit making posts from my iPhone, and start using my laptop! It’s embarrassing.
Blake Dunn has been hit by 30 pitches this season! If he makes it to the major leagues, he will probably challenge Ron Hunt for some records….
do you do the unthinkable and send EDLC down and Bring Barrero up at this point? I think you would get more competitive at bats
Nope. Nothing for him to learn down there. Same with CES. Bite the bullet and keep them with the club.
Barrero is an interesting player given his resurgence at AAA. He’s more versatile than several guys on our 26-man right now. Burn the September spot on him? Swap him for somebody else (Newman, Fairchild, Hopkins)?
Bad break with Jake Fraley. Doesn’t seem like he’ll be back for their upcoming road trip? That leaves Fairchild & Ramos to try and pick up some of the slack. CES could stand to pick up the pace and that would help.
Barerro probably has earned a spot. On a replacement basis, he is probably competing against Fraley/Hopkins, India, Newman and Fairchild. Don’t know that I like any of those choices currently. On an 28th man addition, Marte, Senzel, and Casali are his competition. Bottom line: doctor reports probably influence the decision.
I wouldn’t do that but he (Barrero) might be bucking for a return to the majors to replace SOMEONE.
The loss of Fraley is not negligible. He’s one of the team’s best power hitters, a good base stealer and an improved outfielder.
The Fraley loss has hurt a lot more than most people thought it would, hope he is back for a possible September playoff run. However the rest of August is going to be tough.
Fraley’s a core member of the team. If he can stay healthy, he’s a legit 25 HR, 25 SB .275 BA guy who plays a mean RF, and all of that while he has to sit when a LHP is starting. All in all not a bad guy to have in your lineup.