By MIKE ROBERTS
It was two steps forward and three back for the Cincinnati Reds this past week. After taking two of three games against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the Reds got swept in three games by the Milwaukee Brewers, who added to the lead in the National League Central. The Reds went into Thursday’s off day five games below .500 (37-42) and now trail by 12 ½ games in the Central.
The Reds, who were 20-11 on April 30, have compiled a 17-31 record since May 1; that’s the worst in the big leagues. Cincinnati also is 2-16 against division opponents. Woof. It’s not all bad; here are three positives as the Reds go into the final week of July.
Elly Is Back
Back on May 31, every Reds fan in the world winced when Elly De La Cruz (.277 AVG, .844 OPS, 12 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB) hopped awkwardly after rounding first base in a game against the Atlanta Braves. Cincinnati placed De La Cruz on the injured list with a strained right hamstring, ending his streak of 276 consecutive games played.
During De La Cruz’s absence, Cincinnati lost 12 of its last 19 games while averaging just 3.7 runs per game. It’s safe to say that the team missed the two-time All-Star. It’s great to see De La Cruz back on the field, as the Reds definitely aren’t going to so much as sniff a return to the playoffs without him leading the way.
Beating the Bronx Bombers
Let’s face it, not many people expected a last-place Cincinnati squad to win a series versus the Yankees (who lead the AL East) at Yankee Stadium, but the Reds proved their doubters wrong.
Cincinnati, which has now won a series at Yankee Stadium for the second time in three seasons, showed that it can actually compete with the top teams in Major League Baseball. They just have to find a way to somehow beat NL Central opponents.
Burns Dazzles Again
Reds starter Chase Burns (9-1, 2.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) picked up a win June 15 against the New York Mets and got another ‘W’ versus the Yankees this past Sunday. It must be a New York thing! Burns pitched five innings on Sunday, allowing just one run and five hits while striking out seven batters and walking three as the Reds beat the Yankees 4-1.
Burns became the first Reds player to win eight straight decisions since Tom Browning did so back in 1989. Browning, of course, is a Reds legend who helped the team win the 1990 World Series.
Each and every week, Burns gets the job done for the Reds. He gives the team a much better chance to win whenever he’s on the mound.
Sal Stewart and Edwin Arroyo’s Saturday
The Reds blasted the Yankees 10-2 on Saturday. Although several contributed, Cincinnati‘s Sal Stewart (.246 AVG, .781 OPS, 14 HR, 54 RBI, 11 SB) and Edwin Arroyo (.226 AVG, .552 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB) stood out the most.
Stewart recorded six RBIs, including a two-run double in the third inning and a bases-clearing double in the eighth. This was his second six-RBI game of the season; his first one came on April 15 against the San Francisco Giants.
Meanwhile, Arroyo finished the game with four hits and also reached base five times. That just might be the first of many four-hit games for the rookie, who was called up a few weeks ago after dominating at Triple-A Louisville.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Reds will hit the road to play a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates that starts Friday, followed by a crucial four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning on Monday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Friday, 6/26: 6:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Andrew Abbott (CIN) (5-4, 3.83 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) vs. Paul Skenes (PIT) (6-7, 2.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP)
Saturday, 6/27: 4:05 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Chase Burns (CIN) (9-1, 2.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) vs. Jared Jones (PIT) (11, 5.75 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)
Sunday, 6/28: 1:35 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Brady Singer (CIN) (3-6, 4.81 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) vs. Mitch Keller (PIT) (5-5, 4.89 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)
Monday, 6/29: 7:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (MIL)
Tuesday, 6/30: 7:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (MIL)
Wednesday, 7/1: 8:10 PM, ESPN/MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (MIL)
Thursday, 7/2: 2:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (MIL)