MLB Playoffs: 3 takeaways from the Reds extra-inning loss to the Braves

The Reds dropped their first game of the 2020 MLB Playoffs to the Braves.

It was the pitcher’s duel we all thought we’d see, but I don’t think anyone expected it to last 13 innings. After being knotted at zero after nine innings, the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves went to extras in order to break the tie. The Reds had plenty of opportunities, as did the Braves, but neither team was able to scratch across a run until Freddie Freeman’s RBI single in the 13th.

While Archie Bradley’s performance in the 13th inning will certainly come into question, the Cincinnati Reds had several opportunities before he entered the game. Heck, in the first inning, both Nick Senzel and Nick Castellanos reached base safely and were in scoring position with just one out.

The third inning saw Senzel reach base safely again and was stranded at second base to end the inning. After that, hits were very difficult to come by. The Reds got a single from Castellanos in the sixth, but poor base running, which we’ll dive into later, cost Cincinnati a chance to dent the scoreboard.

It was a very disappointing afternoon for the Cincinnati Reds, who fall behind 1-0 in a three-game series. The Reds will send Luis Castillo to the young tomorrow, hoping to knot the series at one game apiece. However, before we look forward to tomorrow, let’s take a look back at what caused the Reds demise in today’s game.