Cincinnati Reds rolled over by Indians for 4th straight game

Injuries struck again as the Cincinnati Reds were swept by the Cleveland Indians.

“Domination” is just about the only word to describe this year’s Ohio Cup. For a fourth consecutive game, the Reds had it taken to them by the Indians on Thursday, falling to their state rivals 7-2 at home in Great American Ball Park.

Cleveland outfielder Rajai Davis had himself another huge night at the plate to earn himself the series’ Most Outstanding Player award, finishing 9-for-16 with three doubles, two home runs, nine runs batted in, 10 runs scored and two stolen bases.

Another starter down

Making matters even worse was another injury to a Reds starting pitcher. Tim Adleman was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning with a strained left oblique, the same injury that has kept Anthony DeSclafani out the whole season. After the game, manager Bryan Price was “not optimistic” about Adleman’s injury, the Cincinnati Enquirer’s C. Trent Rosecrans tweeted. The right-hander seems destined for the disabled list, which would make him the sixth Reds starter currently out. When it rains, it pours.

Jon Moscot made a rehab start on Sunday and could be the replacement for Adleman if he’s forced to miss time.

Votto provides the fireworks

Just before he exited the game, Adleman allowed a two-run home run to Carlos Santana, the only runs he allowed on the night. The Reds were immediately able to answer back in the bottom of the fourth when Joey Votto laced the first pitch he saw from Josh Tomlin over the center-field wall to tie the game.

Those would be the only runs the home team could muster, as Tomlin pitched into the eighth inning and the Reds didn’t get a single runner on base against the Cleveland bullpen.

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Bullpen up to its usual tricks

The aforementioned 2-2 tie didn’t last for long. Caleb Cotham was called on to replace Adleman and his struggles continued, as he allowed four runs in the top of the fifth, including Santana’s second homer of the contest. Cotham was the Reds’ most reliable reliever through the first few weeks of the season, but now sees his ERA sitting at an ugly 7.36.

Recent call-up Keyvius Sampson threw the next three innings. He gave up just one run, but wasn’t particularly effective, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out only one hitter. At the least, he did spare Price from having to use more of his bullpen.

On the bright side, Blake Wood had another solid outing with a perfect ninth inning.

Notes:

• Zack Cozart has cooled off a bit recently after a scorching start to the year. Could he be heating up again? After a 3-for-6 effort on Wednesday, he picked up a walk and two more hits on Thursday, including his 12th double of the season.
• Some shaky defense came from usually reliable fielders, as Brandon Phillips and Cozart both had an error.
• Bullpen ERA update: 6.54 (almost a full run above the next-worst team)
• The Indians outscored the Reds 43-16 in the series.