Terry Francona’s blown call cost the Reds and his excuse will only make fans angrier

Far be it from me to question a future Hall of Fame manager, but what the heck was Terry Francona doing on Tuesday night? In a one-run game, the Cincinnati Reds manager inexplicably left both Will Benson and Gavin Lux on the bench despite the fact that a right-handed pitcher was on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Francona revealed after the game why he didn't make the move, and those comments were even more mind-boggling.

It goes without saying that losing 1-0 to the Pirates is rather embarrassing. The Reds' lineup made Bailey Falter look like Randy Johnson with Cincinnati managing just four hits against Pittsburgh's starter. But because the Pirates' bats are almost as pathetic as the Reds — and Nick Martinez had another quality start — Cincinnati was still in game.

But in the eighth inning, with Pirates' right-hander Dennis Santana on the mound, Francona sent both Jose Trevino and Connor Joe to the plate while keeping Benson and Lux on the bench. What's the point of having three catchers if, in that moment, you don't allow Benson to hit for Trevino? Trevino lined out, as did Matt McLain, and Joe grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.

Terry Francona inexcuably left Will Benson and Gavin Lux on the Reds' bench

But Francona had a chance to redeem himself for that poor decision. The Reds kept the Pirates off the board in the eighth inning and headed into the ninth still trailing just 1-0. A 10-pitch at-bat from centerfielder TJ Friedl resulted in line drive single. The Reds were in business with a speedy runner on first and nobody out.

But instead of sending Benson or Lux to the plate to face right-hander David Bednar, Francona stuck with Santiago Espinal. Though he may be a terrific defender, Espinal is hitting just .248/.304/.323 versus righties this season. For his career, he has a .627 OPS. Lux, on the hand, has crushed right-handers this season to the tune of .333/.408/.476 and has a career .760 OPS against right-handed pitching. Leaving Lux on the bench in favor of Espinal is inexcusable.

Predictably, Espinal grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the Reds' threat. Elly De La Cruz popped out to left field to end the game, and Cincinnati suffered their eighth shutout loss of the season in the most brutal fashion.

Terry Francona's postgame comments make no sense, and Reds fans should be furious

After the game, Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith asked Francona about his decision to keep Espinal in the game during that at-bat in the ninth inning. “I think Espy is one of our best hitters," Francona said. "And I was trying to give Lux some needed… if Espy comes out, Lux is at third. I was trying not to do that.”

What is he even talking about? Third base was one of the positions Lux was supposed to play this season and he's already been over there twice. At worst, if the game goes to extras, Francona could've moved De La Cruz to third base, McLain to shortstop, and let Lux play second base. Or move Spencer Steer — who has plenty of experience at the hot corner — to third base and let Wynns take over at first base.

Francona botched this one big-time, and kudos to Goldsmith for asking the question that was on the mind of every single Reds fan after watching the end of that game. Tito's not perfect, but this felt like a move that deserves extra scrutiny.

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