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

4 of 4

Sep 30, 2020; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos (2) tagged out on the leg by Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) (glove at left) during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the second inning of Game One. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

1. The Reds wasted a brilliant start from Trevor Bauer.

If Trevor Bauer doesn’t win the NL Cy Young Award this season, then something is terribly wrong with the voting process. Bauer dominated the Braves on Wednesday afternoon, but his effort was all for naught, as the Reds walked away losers 1-0. Bauer’s career in Cincinnati could very well be done if the Reds don’t rally to take Games 2 and 3.

When the lights are at their brightest, Trevor Bauer shines. Bauer went 7.2 innings, threw 103 pitches, allowed just two hits and struck out 12 batters. In case you were unaware, the Atlanta Braves offense is really, really good. The Braves .832 OPS was the best in all of baseball this season.

It mattered not to Bauer, who mowed down batters, inning after inning. His only hiccup was a double surrendered to Ronald Acuna Jr. in the sixth inning. But Bauer bounced back recording the next three outs and stranded Acuna Jr. at second base.

Unfortunately for Trevor Bauer, the Reds offense did not show up. Scratch that; the Reds offense did not show up when it mattered. Cincinnati mustered 11 hits and had more than their fair share of opportunities to score. But the Redlegs stranded 13 runners on base, were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and couldn’t get that elusive two-out knock to break the game open.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Mike Moustakas #9 of the Cincinnati Reds bats. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

2. Reds slugger Mike Moustakas missed a lot of opportunities.

The Cincinnati Reds spent a lot of money this offseason with eyes toward upgrading the team’s offense. Their spending spree didn’t bring much of a return, as Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama were a collective 0-for-6 with two strikeouts. Moustakas alone stranded five runners on base while at the plate.

That’s not to say that the blame for this loss rests solely on the shoulders of Moustakas. If it weren’t for his hot hitting down the stretch, the Reds might not even be in the postseason. However, there were several opportunities for Moustakas to break the game open and he didn’t do it.

The closest Moose came was in the top of the 13th inning with Joey Votto at third and Eugenio Suárez sitting at first base. Moustakas worked the count full and then fouled off three consecutive pitches before drawing a walk in a nine-pitch at-bat. That handed the reigns over to Aristides Aquino who promptly struck out swinging.

Mike Moustakas is a grizzled veteran, and every player on the team refers to him as the leader in the clubhouse. If that’s the case, then expect to see some fire from Moustakas when the Redlegs take the field tomorrow. There’s nothing that can be done about today’s loss, but the Reds get another crack at it tomorrow. Let’s hope Moose and the gang are ready.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds is out at third with the tag of Austin Riley. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

3. Base running blunders spoiled opportunities for the Reds to score.

What in the world was going on with the Cincinnati Reds on the base paths? Seriously, I’ve never seen so many blatant mistakes. Three very specific ones come to mind, and there may be more. The bottom line is, good teams don’t make those types of mistakes and the Reds need to clean that up quickly.

The first base running error came in the sixth inning. With Nick Castellanos standing at first base, Joey Votto rocketed a single in left-center field. Castellanos pressed his luck and was tagged out at third base on a brilliant throw from former Reds outfielder Adam Duvall. All of Reds Country knows that Duvall has a cannon, but apparently that information wasn’t passed on to Castellanos.

The second, and most egregious, base running error came in the following inning when a double steal was not executed well at all, and Aristides Aquino was tagged out on his way to the plate. During the play, Kyle Farmer took off from first to second, but Aquino looked like a statue at third base.

Was this play poor managing, poor execution or both? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. The weirdest part of the that entire sequence was pinch hitting Matt Davidson for Curt Casali, who by the way was calling a masterful game behind the plate.

Next. 3 unlikely playoff heroes for the Reds

The final base running mistake came in thee 13th inning. While I don’t want to be too overly dramatic, with Joey Votto standing at second base, the single that Eugenio Suárez ripped into left field should have scored the former MVP. He got a bad break and it may have cost the Reds a run. That said, Votto does not run well, and, as we already mentioned, Adam Duvall has a cannon.

Home / Reds News