Cincinnati Reds’ Four-Game Winning Streak Ends with Loss to Cubs

W: Travis Wood (3-2)

L: Michael Lorenzen (1-2)

SV: Hector Rondon (11)

If you looked at Thursday’s Cincinnati Reds lineup and wondered whether it was spring training, you’re not alone. Only three of the Reds’ Opening Day starters were in the lineup in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

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Without many regulars available, the Reds’ offense managed only six hits and couldn’t get anything going against the Cubs’ bullpen once starter Tsuyoshi Wada left the game after three innings.

All of the Reds’ runs came against Wada. Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen got the Reds on the board with a two-run triple in the second inning and Chris Dominguez, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville earlier in the day, hit a solo home run in the fourth for his first career hit with the team.

Dominguez’s home run knocked Wada from the game and the Reds managed a mere two baserunners the remainder of the game.

Meanwhile, Lorenzen had his worst career start on the mound, surrendering six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He did strike out six, on a positive note.

Home runs hurt Lorenzen early. Miguel Montero broke open the scoring with a three-run home run in the first inning and Dexter Fowler added another run on a solo shot in the third.

The 23-year-old ran into trouble again in the fifth, giving up a single and hitting a batter before Kris Bryant lined a double to left field to make it a 5-3 game. Lorenzen was removed a batter later, but was hit with an unearned run after an error by Brayan Pena.

Although Lorenzen suffered through some typical rookie struggles, the bullpen continued to pitch well and did not give up another run. Burke Badenhop‘s earned run average continues to come down, as he threw 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Lorenzen. Badenhop has only given up three runs on nine hits in his last 11 appearances, spanning over 13.2 innings. Nate Adcock and Tony Cingrani also added scoreless innings.

Other Notes:

• Eugenio Suarez got his first start in a Reds uniform and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
• Billy Hamilton and Brandon Phillips were both out again as they continue to deal with injuries. Hamilton is expected back in the lineup on Friday and Phillips is “close” to returning, according to John Fay.

Up Next: The Reds play a rare Friday day game against the Cubs tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. ET. Johnny Cueto will take the mound and his counterpart is set to be Jason Hammel.

Next: Cozart done for the year with torn knee ligaments