LOS ANGELES – Giving up seven runs in the fourth inning Sunday was just another low point in a week full of low points.
The Cincinnati Reds knew they needed a lot of things to work in their favor during their four-game series against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nothing went right.
The Reds were routed, 9-1, in the series finale Sunday at Dodger Stadium and swept in the four-game series, extending their losing streak to six games. It was the first time the Dodgers swept the Reds over a four-game series since 1975.
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They haven’t led once during their six-game losing streak, 54 consecutive innings they’ve been tied or trailed.
After an offseason where the Reds parted with several of their most popular players, and a 99-day lockout, it’s added up to a 2-8 record to begin the season, the worst record in the Majors. It’s the third time in the last five seasons (2018 and 2019) they’ve won only two of their first 10 games.
Tyler Mahle surrendered seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, matching a career-high. He allowed only one hit in his first time through the Dodgers lineup, totaling four strikeouts, but the fourth inning turned into a disaster.
The first five Dodgers hitters reached base in the fourth inning. Max Muncy roped a two-run double down the right-field line and Will Smith slapped an RBI double into left field.
This is a Dodgers lineup that has the luxury of batting 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger seventh in their lineup and Chris Taylor, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract last winter, eighth. Taylor continued the hit parade in the fourth inning with a two-run groundball double to center.
Freddie Freeman, who opened the fourth inning with a single, added a two-run single in his second at-bat of the inning. He broke into a smile once he reached first base as the Dodger Stadium crowd of 41,167 chanted his name.
It was an awful week that started with team president Phil Castellini’s comments scoffing at fan criticism before the club’s home opener. Tommy Pham missed two games because of a collision in the outfield. Nick Senzel missed four games because of an illness. Jonathan India missed three games with a right hamstring injury and may be headed to the Injured List.
The Reds own the league’s lowest on-base percentage and the second-worst batting average. They’ve averaged 2.5 runs during their losing streak, scoring just one run before the sixth inning in any of those six games.
Dodgers lefty Andrew Heaney overpowered the Reds’ lineup, permitting one hit over six innings. Heaney struck out 11 batters, his highest total since striking out 14 on Aug. 20, 2019. Heaney had three starts with 10 strikeouts last season.
Injuries to several right-handed hitters – India, Senzel, Donovan Solano and Jose Barrero – meant the Reds had four lefties in their lineup. They stood no chance against Heaney’s slider, which drew a staggering 14 whiffs in the 22 swings the Reds offered at it.
Kyle Farmer laced a two-out double to left field in the third inning, which kept a no-hitter out of play, but the Reds will face two more left-handed starters during their upcoming series in San Diego.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism