Late Again

The Reds' offense failed to show up on time for yet another series. They compiled a grand total of 3 hits and one run in the first game of the series with the Nationals. The Nats, on the other hand, took full advantage of Brandon Claussen's not-so-hot pitching (as well as some similar antics from the bullpen) to put up 7 runs. The Reds have had a lot of 7-1 games lately.

The three hits belonged to Felipe Lopez, Edwin Encarnacion, and Brandon Phillips. Lopez scored the only run on Scott Hatteberg's sac fly. Dunn drew a walk and Jason LaRue and Encarnacion were both hit by pitches, bringing the total number of Reds baserunners to 6, with 4 of them contained in the 7th.

To make up for Cincinnati's essentially absent offense, the Nationals played monster longball, with Alfonso Soriano smashing the 4th longest home run ever at Great American. His was the last of five on the evening. Four came off of Claussen and one off Shackleford.

All together, a pretty disappointing game, but we'll brush it off and pay them back tonight.