Dodgers offense mashes Reds, backs Clayton Kershaw in 10-5 win to sweep series in Cincinnati

“...and it’s 5, 6, 7, open up the pearly gates...”

Thursday’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers played out as something of a microcosm of the Cincinnati Reds season as a whole.

The Dodgers raced out to an early, commanding lead on the backs of a trio of long home runs off Reds starter Hunter Greene. It was demoralizing, it rendered the game unwinnable, and it pretty well made you want to turn off the television despite having blocked off your afternoon purely for it. Once the interest had waned, and once the pitches over the plate became purely procedural, however, the Reds did just enough to pad the box score to remind you there are some professionals actually on the team, still.

It wasn’t until Clayton Kershaw gave way to the dregs of the LA bullpen, however. Kershaw was mighty in his 6.0 IP, allowing just a lone earned run and lone walk while perfectly scattering 7 hits among his 7 Ks. When Phil Bickford finally came in with his mop in the Bottom of the 7th, however, it was a smattering of singles followed by a 3-run blast by Tommy Pham that put enough Reds runs on the board to make it sound respectable, even if you discount that the Dodgers had so many runners thrown out on the bases like nincompoops that the early, ugly score truly should’ve been twice as bad.

All told, it was a dismal 10-5 loss, one that means the Reds are currently riding a seven-game losing streak. They just lost all six games of their homestand. They’ve lost eight consecutive home games, and are just 2-12 over their last 14 in GABP.

Where ya gonna go?

Tony Graphanino (link)

Other Notes

• Donovan Solano had a trio of hits on the day, two of which were doubles. He’s a nice player. Why the Reds chose to give him $4 million to play on a team that’s otherwise going absolutely nowhere I have zero clue, but if he can stay healthy for the next few weeks, someone will trade for him.
• Joey Votto got the day off. Good for him.
• Votto got the day off. The rest of the Reds just took it.
• Hunter Greene’s final line: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 HR allowed on 98 pitches. He’s now allowed 20 dingers on the season, which is the most in all of baseball.
• Do the Reds play again tomorrow? Lemme check...
• Damnit, they do, and it’s all the way the hell out on the left coast in San Francisco, so it won’t even start until it’s time for your first post-dinner beer on the couch. 10:15 PM ET, to be exact, with Alex Cobb on the bump for the Giants in the opener Friday night. Graham Ashcraft will do the Reds bidding.
• Tunes.