Cincinnati Reds Waste Iglesias’ Gem, Fall to D-Backs, 2-0

W: Chase Anderson (5-4)

L: Raisel Iglesias (2-4)

SV: Brad Ziegler (20)

Twenty-seven. That’s how many consecutive innings the Cincinnati Reds have gone without scoring a run. For a second consecutive game, the Reds were kept off the board, this time by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

The lack of offense meant that a gem from rookie pitcher Raisel Iglesias was all for naught. The right-hander gave up his only run of the game in the first inning, but was dominant from there on out, at one point retiring 15 consecutive hitters. Iglesias gave up just three hits in his six innings of work, walking one and striking out six.

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Friday marked the third straight game that Iglesias has gone six innings or more, something he had only done once previously. His last two starts have been particularly brilliant, as the 25-year-old has only given up three runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out 11 in 12.2 innings.

Outside of Iglesias’ performance, there wasn’t much to be pleased with from the Reds’ side of things. Manny Parra gave up a solo home run to Welington Castillo in relief of Iglesias and the offense could only muster five hits and two walks against Diamondbacks pitching, only once getting more than one runner on base in an inning.

That came in the fifth, when Brayan Pena and Eugenio Suarez led off with back-to-back singles. The promising start came quickly crashing down. Iglesias followed the pair of singles with a sacrifice bunt attempt that went right back to the mound. Pena was forced out at third, but the Reds seemingly caught a break when third baseman Jake Lamb‘s throw to first base sailed wide. But right fielder Ender Inciarte was there to back up the play, throwing out Iglesias trying to take second and killing a Reds rally in the blink of an eye.

If there was one bright spot on offense, it was (who else?) Joey Votto, who reached base three more times tonight on a single and two walks. Unfortunately, having an on-base machine doesn’t do much good when no one around him is hitting.

Other Notes

• Ryan Mattheus also pitched in this one. He allowed two hits, but was able to keep the Diamondbacks from scoring in the eighth.
• It’s been a rough second half for Todd Frazier, but he did line a single to left field with some authority in the ninth inning. Perhaps a sign of a turnaround?
• Billy Hamilton also had a hit in this one, but didn’t get a chance to steal a base before next batter Brandon Phillips grounded into a double play on the second pitch of his at-bat.

Up Next: Keyvius Sampson will take the mound for his second career start when the Reds and Diamondbacks meet for game two on Saturday. Robbie Ray is slated to start for the D-backs. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. EST.

Next: Reds-Diamondbacks series preview