Cincinnati Reds: Loss shows need for bullpen reinforcements

The Cincinnati Reds bullpen performed admirably, but couldn’t keep the Chicago Cubs off the board in extras. The Reds are in need of bullpen help if the team is serious about a playoff push.

In no way should the Cincinnati Reds‘ 4-3 loss in extra innings be laid at the feet of Raisel Iglesias. The Reds’ closer was pitching in his third consecutive game and had previously thrown in the ninth inning before giving away the lead in the tenth. The loss does a reveal a need for reinforcements in the bullpen if the Reds wish to make a playoff push.

It was curious, yet refreshing, that David Bell turned first to Wandy Peralta, then Jared Hughes, and allowed Robert Stephenson to then pitch in an extremely high-leverage situation after Anthony DeSclafani was lifted following a Kris Bryan home run.

Michael Lorenzen had thrown 34 pitches the night before, and was likely unavailable. Iglesias, coming off a 16-pitch performance on Sunday in Colorado and 20-pitch outing at Wrigley Field on Monday, performed admirably, but ultimately succumb to a cheap home run that barely skirted the wall in left-center field.

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Thank goodness that Bell that didn’t turn to David Hernandez. I think Reds Country, as a whole, would’ve turned off their televisions had Hernandez stepped onto the mound during last night’s game. The veteran right-hander is sitting on a 27.00 ERA in the month of July, allowing 11 hits and 9 runs in just 3 innings of work.

Amir Garrett will hopefully return to the Cincinnati Reds bullpen when the team returns to Great American Ball Park on Thursday to play the St. Louis Cardinals. Garrett has been on the 10-day injured list with a left lat strain. His 1.70 ERA has been sorely missed. Outside of Garrett, Bell doesn’t have much he can count on in his pen.

With the depth of the Reds’ farm system and the team’s desire to improve for this season and beyond, Cincinnati needs to look very closely at upgrades to the bullpen. Beyond Garrett, Lorenzen, and Iglesias, the options are shaky at best.

Matt Bowman has performed well and Hughes has made strides of late, but Peralta is up-and-down and Jimmy Herget seemed lost in his lone appearance out of the bullpen this season. Stephenson has made strides, but still seems to fit the mold of a long reliever. We already mentioned Hernandez’s struggles as well.

Left-hander Cody Reed is still on the shelf with a knee injury, and Herget was the best the minor leagues had to offer. The 5 hits and 3 runs he allowed in his major league debut suggests he may not be ready for The Show just yet. While Herget deserves another shot, it isn’t likely to happen unless the Reds are facing a huge deficit.

We suggested a few relievers that the Cincinnati Reds could set their sights on as the trade deadline looms. Names like Seth Lugo, Reyes Moronta, and Sam Dyson should catch the eye of general manager Nick Krall and president of baseball operations Dick Williams.

If the Cincinnati Reds are serious about making a postseason run, it’s got to be now. They currently trail the Cubs by 6.5 games in the National League Central and sit 4.5 games back in the Wild Card chase. There’s enough time to turn this thing around, but the clock will soon be striking midnight. Actually, 4 o’clock on July 31st to be exact.