HOUSTON – If it’s any consolation to the Cincinnati Reds during their road trip from hell this week, they heard from the league about that bad call in the 11th inning Thursday night that cost them a pair of ejections and contributed to a loss.
“They said they screwed up,” a club official said. Turns out the Reds were right to be upset about Ozzie Albies blocking Blake Dunn off the bag at second on Dunn’s steal attempt in the loss to the Atlanta Braves.
“Doesn’t make it any better.”
So much for consolation.
And so much for their week getting any better with a change of venue.
Even with Austin Hays back from the injured list and even in Houston on Friday night, something happened to them that hadn’t happened in almost nine years.
They lost to the Houston Astros.
A 3-0 loss to Astros right-hander Hunter Brown snapped a nine-game Reds winning streak against their former division rivals.
After three straight series sweeps in 2019, 2023 and 2024, the Reds lost to Houston for the first time since June 19, 2016.
Whether it rubbed salt in the wound that a guy named Hunter held them to two hits on the day they put their own ace, Hunter Greene, on the IL, it has been almost nothing but pain for the Reds since they opened this two-city trip.
“We’re going through it right now,” said Reds starter Nick Martinez, whose quality start Friday wasn’t enough to prevent the team’s sixth loss in seven games (four of five on the trip).
Rookie outfielder Tyler Callihan broke his arm on a play that looked like a catch (and wasn’t) in Monday’s series-opening loss in Atlanta. Noelvie Marte aggravated an oblique before Tuesday’s loss and landed on the IL. The only game they won out of four in Atlanta was the one that Greene left in the fourth inning because of a groin strain.
And they face another IL move Saturday after Jake Fraley was scratched from Friday’s lineup again for the calf soreness that has bothered him since Tuesday night.
“We’re kind of teeter-tottering,” Martinez said. “You’ve just gotta keep working, don’t fall in that slide; just try to keep battling. We’re still showing some heart and competing, so that’s a good sign.”
About the only thing going for the reeling Reds these days is a few nice restaurants in Houston, the pitching roll that starter Martinez has been on, and a trade during Friday’s game for journeyman outfielder Connor Joe from the San Diego Padres.
After his third consecutive quality start Friday, Martinez has a 2.66 ERA in his last four starts.
“I love watching Nick Martinez compete out there,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s bobbing and weaving and gives up I think 10 hits. But you can just watch him and know how much he enjoys competing.”
As for Joe, he joins the team Saturday for the second game of the Astros series, expected to be the corresponding roster move for Fraley.
“He’s a guy that can play first and the outfield, kind of a veteran bat that’s got a good reputation,” Francona said. “I’ve always kind of liked him. I’m thrilled we picked him up.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds do something in Houston they haven’t done in nearly 9 years: Lose to Astros
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
