Cincinnati Reds: Anthony DeSclafani having trouble closing the deal

The Cincinnati Reds fell to the Washington Nationals last night and Anthony DeSclafani, once again, struggled to close the deal with two outs in an inning.

Cincinnati Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani is still struggling to get that final out. Twice during last night’s game against the Washington Nationals, Disco surrendered a home run with runners on base and two outs in the inning. DeSclafani has not been able to close the deal when the situation favors him the most.

The Reds started out last night’s game in D.C. with a bang. On the very first pitch from Nationals starter Erick Fedde, leadoff batter Jesse Winker sent a ball over the left field fence and gave the Reds a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the Reds were unable to take advantage of the early lead and eventually fell to the Nationals 7-6.

In the bottom of the first, DeSclafani struck out two of the first three batters he faced. Adam Eaton drew a six-pitch walk in between the punch outs of Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon. So, with two outs, Matt Adams stepped to the plate.

More from Blog Red Machine

• Reds vs. White Sox: Pitching preview, prediction, and more
• Reds: Reiver Sanmartin adds another twist to offseason roster construction
• Reds: Signing Tyler Mahle to a contract extension should be a top priority
• Reds: Reiver Sanmartin should get first major league start vs Pirates
• Reds should unquestionably bring Wade Miley back in 2022

After Disco’s first pitch missed high and outside, the right-hander got ahead of Adams with back-to-back strikes. After evening the count at 2-2, DeSclafani hung a breaking pitch and Adams deposited it over the center field wall, giving the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately for Disco, that was not the end of the first inning. The very next batter, Asdrubal Cabrera, laced a double into center field and the next batter, Gerardo Parra, brought Cabrera home on a sharp line drive single to center field. The Reds trailed 3-1.

Disco ran into more trouble in the fourth inning. With the Reds now trailing by just one run, Disco dispensed of Parra and Kurt Suzuki before allowing a single to Victor Robles. The pitcher, Erick Fedde, unexplainably reached base on a single after falling behind 1-2. The next batter, Trea Turner, made Disco pay.

After getting ahead in the count 0-2, DeSclafani couldn’t finish the deal and ran the count full. With two outs, Disco hung another breaking ball and Turner made him pay. A two-out, three-run homer gave the Nationals a 6-2 lead and that was all she wrote for Disco. He was pulled after that inning in favor of a pinch hitter.

These two-out struggles from DeSclafani are growing old. Before last night, nine of Disco’s 22 home runs allowed have come with two outs in an inning. That number is now 11. DeSclafani is allowing batters batters to hit at a .297 clip with two outs in an inning. His ERA with two outs is a disastrous 6.37. Disco has to find a way to get that final out of an inning.

With Tyler Mahle soon to return from injury, it was assumed that he may find a spot in the Reds bullpen. The way Anthony DeSclafani has handled prosperity might make David Bell second guess who becomes the extra arm in the bullpen once the Cincinnati Reds return to full strength.