Early bases-loaded homer helps Royals slam Cincinnati Reds, 9-2

Kansas City Royals hitters did damage early and often against Cincinnati Reds relievers before 19,409 fans at Great American Ball Park.

Before the game, the pitching matchup appeared to favor Cincinnati: Chase Burns to face young KC righty Luinder Avila, whose longest outing of the year had been 3 1/3 innings. But Burns called in sick today, and Manager Terry Francona selected Lyon Richardson to make the start. It did not go well, as Kansas City scored four in the top of the first on a Lane Thomas grand slam, and were never in trouble. The loss was the fourth in the last five games for Cincinnati.

Last-place Cincinnati is about to fall seven games behind first-place Milwaukee, which is putting a 12-2 beating on San Francisco in the seventh inning as this post goes live.

The Offense

On a night most Reds fans hoped their team would do some damage against what was expected to be a Royals bullpen game, the sad but true tale in the composite batting line was 6-for-32 (.188), 6 walks, 12 strikeouts.

In the bottom of the first, JJ Bleday continued his red-hot production at the plate with a solo homer, his 10th. Reds fans were hoping that it was the beginning of a comeback, drawing Cincinnati within 4-1, but it was not to be. The only other Cincinnati hits on the night were Spencer Steer, Sal Stewart, Eugenio Suarez and Edwin Arroyo singles, and a ninth-inning RBI double by Matt McLain. The ninth-inning Arroyo hit was a line-drive single to right for his first in the major leagues in his debut. Steer, Bleday and McLain also walked, meaning they each reached base twice.

It was the Reds’ 16th loss of the year by five or more runs, tying the Colorado Rockies for the major league high so far this year. TV announcer John Sadak reported that the last time the Reds lost that many games by five or more runs in their first 59 games was 1949.

The Pitching

The combined line for three Reds relievers: 9 innings, 13 hits (including 3 homers), 5 walks and 7 strikeouts.

Eighteen of the first 24 pitches by opener Richardson were outside the strike zone, resulting in the bases being loaded. Sadak shared that the Royals did not swing at any of Richardson’s first 13 pitches. He ended up striking out the side, but along the way, surrendered the no-doubt grand slam homer to Thomas. Kansas City took advantage of the two walks and hit-batter put on base by Richardson by scoring four runs on just the one first-inning hit.

Lefty Caleb Ferguson pitched scoreless baseball in the second and third innings. “Finisher” Brandon Leibrandt, called up from Louisville earlier Monday, followed by allowing five runs to the Royals over the final six innings. He became an innings-eater, throwing 99 pitches, 60 for strikes, while allowing 10 hits (including two homers) and three walks.

If Burns is healthy by Wednesday, he may start the series finale against Kansas City.

One fan’s thoughts

At a point when the Reds are without Elly De La Cruz for at least two weeks, without ace Hunter Greene and young hurler Rhett Lowder for still-undetermined periods of time, and with a largely unreliable bullpen, this is a pivotal period for this team.

Watching the Reds play the Atlanta Braves over the weekend, the thought crossed my mind more than once that there is no way this Reds team would be able to compete consistently with the Braves. The biggest difference between the teams is Atlanta’s shutdown bullpen. We thought the Reds would have a competitive bullpen, but it’s been the biggest disappointment of the team due to both poor performance and injuries.

If Greene and Lowder return to health and top form, the rotation will be the team’s strength, as was expected prior to this season. But to challenge for a post-season berth, this team will need to find not only some relief pitchers who can be relied upon not to walk batters in key spots, but also a true closer. Emilio Pagan isn’t a true closer, and Tony Santillan has failed to capitalize upon opportunities to move into that role.

Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds

Kansas City Royals at Cincinnati Reds

Tuesday, June 2, 7:10 p.m. ET

Noah Cameron (2-4, 4.61 ERA) vs. Andrew Abbott (4-3, 3.88 ERA)