All of the sudden, the Cincinnati Reds cannot score runs

What has happened to the Cincinnati Reds’ offense?

All year long, Cincinnati Reds’ fans have been critical of the team’s pitching, and rightfully so. But over the past two games, Reds’ fans need look no further than the team’s offense. Cincinnati has been dreadful at the plate during the first two games against the Pirates.

On Friday night the Reds lost to the Pirates 3-2. Cincinnati’s starting pitcher, Matt Harvey, went only 5 innings, but gave up only 3 runs on 4 hits. Harvey also avoided giving up the long ball, something he failed to do in his last start against St. Louis when he gave up 3 home runs.

In fact, Harvey pitched  well enough to win Friday’s game. Not only that, but Michael Lorenzen was solid in relief. Lorenzen tossed 3 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing only 2 hits and striking out a pair. So what happened?

It’s pretty simple, the Reds were 0-of-12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base. Uncharacteristically, Joey Votto was the worst culprit. With 2 outs and runners on second and third base in the 4th inning, Votto grounded into an inning-ending out.

The Pirates then closed the door on Votto and the Reds in the 9th inning, when Joey struck out swinging looking to end the game with Billy Hamilton on second base.

Every offense is entitled to a bad game. But, back-to-back? The Reds had been scoring almost 5 runs per game coming into the series against Pittsburgh.

Well folks, Saturday’s game was a lot more of the same. Granted, Luis Castillo, didn’t do the Reds any favors. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits through 5 innings, and allowed 2 more home runs. That brings Castillo up to 17 home runs allowed on the season to lead all pitchers in the majors.

In relief, Austin Brice wasn’t much better. He allowed a two-run blast in the 6th inning that helped the Buccos increase their lead from 3 runs to 5.

The Reds only scored 1 run to that point in the game. When the Reds’ bats struggle, that becomes an area of concern. Especially when, for the second game in a row, they fail to get a runner home from second or third base.

The Reds were 0-of-7 with runners in scoring position and once again left 10 runners on base. This time, a lot of the blame is going to fall into the lap of Billy Hamilton.

Hamilton was 0-of-4 on the day, struck out twice and left 6 runners on base. Those numbers are ridiculous and cannot be allowed to continue.

Next: Nick Senzel should be called up right now

Hamilton is a great defensive talent and is a threat to steal every time he’s on the base paths. But with a .187 average and .281 OBP, he doesn’t see many opportunities to use that speed. Hamilton is a liability at the plate, and the Cincinnati Reds need to find a way to get runners home.