If Anyone Has Seen the Reds Offense, Give it Directions to the Ballpark

To quote Bucknasty, one of the attendees at the Playa Haters Ball from Chappelle's Show, "What can be said about the Reds offense that hasn't already been said about Afghanistan?!" The Reds managed just two hits against Edwin Jackson on Saturday and fell to the Nationals 4-1. I am certainly not an MLB hitting coach, and Brook Jacoby's boys did finish second in the league in runs last year, and while it is not time to blow up the whole thing after 9 games, it just looks like the Reds hitters do not have a plan at the plate. They are swinging early in counts, and not hitting the ball hard. Case in point, Edwin Jackson only needed 92 pitches for the complete game.

WHY WE LOST

See above. The offense simply did not show up once again. The Reds managed only two hits, and they both came in the second inning (Miguel Cairo doubled and then was driven home by a Drew Stubbs single). After that, Edwin Jackson retired 16 hitters in a row until a Heisey walk to lead off the 8th inning. There does not seem to be any plan when they step into the batter's box. To illustrate that, the scorekeeping software I use tracks Quality At Bats. Today the Reds had just 3 quality at bats for the entire game. In contrast, the Nationals had 16. In my opinion, they really need Brandon Phillips back at the top of the lineup. That spot is currently occupied by Willie Harris who has only 1 hit on the season. Hopefully when we get BP back it will spark the bats.

THE TURNING POINT

Hard to pick a turning point in a game like this, but I will go with the second inning. The Reds were showing some offense that frame. Miguel Cairo doubled and then Chris Heisey was hit by a pitch. Drew Stubbs followed that with a an RBI single bringing up Devin Mesoraco with one out and runners on first and second. Mesoraco swung at the first pitch and grounded it right to the bag at third base for an inning ending double play. After that double play, Edwin Jackson retired the next 15 straight Reds hitters on his way to a complete game two-hitter.

REDS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Even though he labored through 6 innnings, I am giving the nod today to Homer Bailey. Bailey went 6 innings, and threw a lot of pitches, but he battled and kept the Reds in the game. He gave up 3 earned runs on 7 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 4. Not a stellar line, but with a little help from the O it could have been enough for a W.

UP NEXT

Just like with the Cardinals series, the Reds go to the final game with the Nationals looking to just salvage one game. Cincinnati will look to Mike Leake (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to end the current three game losing skid. The Nationals will counter with Ryan Detwiler (1-0, 0.00 ERA).

The loss moves the Reds to 3-6 on the season and drops them 3 games behind the division leading St. Louis Cardinals (6-3).