Postgame Report: CIN (+170) Loss

Great game last night, both starters showed their best stuff and posted quality starts.  Nick Lodolo pitched six innings, allowed two earned runs on  five hits, didn't walk a single batter and struck out seven on the night.  Spencer Schwellenbach was game, rising to the challenge, throwing six innings of five hit ball.  He allowed one earned run and exited the game with a 2-1 lead.

The Reds loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and tied it up on a base hit from leadoff man TJ Friedl.  Cincinnati had its best hitter in the hole with only one out in the inning.  Braves' reliever Rafael Montero was in deep trouble but manager Brian Snitker stuck with the righty.    Montero dug in and nailed Red's second baseman Matt McLain on a high fastball.  With two outs and the sacks full of Red Legs, superstar Elly De La Cruz stepped to the plate.  He worked the count full before whiffing at a 3-2 slider.  Montero won't record a hold or a save but it was a bigtime moment in the game.  

The score remained 2-2 into the top of the ninth.  Jose Trevino hit his second double of the game and rookie Rece Hinds hit a two run homer off Braves closer Rasiel Iglesias to put the Reds up 4-2.  

Red's closer Emilio Pagan wasn't available, having pitched in consecutive nights prior to Thursday's game.  Graham Ashcraft got the call and issued a leadoff walk to Ozzie Albies.  A base hit from Sean Murphy, a sacrifice bunt from Eli White, and another base knock from Michael Harris II and the game was tied at four.  

It's two bad outings in a row from Ashcraft, who had been one of the Red's most reliable relievers through April.

The Braves would get a run home in the bottom half of the 11th inning off lefty reliever Taylor Rogers to win the game 5-4.  

The Reds had this game in the bag, but twice the Braves pulled through in critical situations, with clutch pitching in the seventh and clutch hitting in the bottom of the ninth.  After a 5-13 start to the season, Atlanta has put it together and find themselves nearly back to .500 on the season.

It was a tough loss for the Pickstreak. We had a 4.46 unit winner on the line.  Our early season gains have been eroded.  After a hot start in April, we find ourselves only up one unit heading into tomorrow's action.  But it's a long season, and you have to manage the wins and the losses with composure.  

Back to the board tomorrow with one unit in play.