The die was cast for Tuesday night's 3-1 Reds loss, on Monday when Dusty Baker pulled Homer Bailey in the 6th inning. That is my humble opinion but in the aftermath of that 5-3 bullpen authored loss, I predicted the Reds would be swept the remaining games in Denver.
They are half-way there. Tuesday, the Reds started Matt Maloney, who was recalled from Double-A Carolina before the game, joining the team for a third stint this season. He lasted five innings, giving up one run on four hits before leaving with a blister on his finger.
So who to throw into the fray? Why not Pedro Viola, who was making his major league debut. Send him in to serve up Eric Young, Jr.s, first major league home run, to push the Rocks' lead to 2-0. Daniel Ray Herrera presided over a final run in the 8th.
The Reds mustered all of 4 hits and left 7 men on base, more of them on the right side of second base than you care to think about. The Rockies have a mantra: Get 'em on, get 'em over, get 'em in.
The Reds version runs more to: Get 'em on, put down roots at 1st.
Sadly the end of their 7 game win streak, sapped them of their will to win. Joey Votto hasn't had a day off in forever. He's out of gas and he isn't alone. By Thursday that pipe dream of reaching third place or maybe even .500 will be up in smoke!
