At 2-12, Reds’ start worst in 87 years

CINCINNATI — After three lastplace seasons, the Reds hoped they had turned a corner. Instead, they’re off to their worst start since the Great Depression.

And there’s no telling how low they’ll go.

Greg Garcia hit two home runs for the first time in his career, powering the Cardinals to a 6-1 victory Saturday that left the Reds with the worst record in the majors at 2-12. The last time the Reds opened a season so badly was 1931, when they lost 17 of 19.

“You never expect it,” manager Bryan Price said. “It’s a tough spot, but you have to deal with it.”

It’s especially discouraging for a rebuilding team that has seen attendance drop significantly while it put together three straight seasons with at least 94 losses.

“That’s the way it’s going,” said left-hander Brandon Finnegan (0-1), who gave up five runs on six hits in 41⁄3 innings. “Everything that can go against us goes against us. We can’t find the big break.”

The Cardinals are heading in the opposite direction, winning a season-high three in a row with an offense that’s finally rounding into form. They’ve scored 24 runs and piled up eight homers in the first three games of the series.

Garcia hit a solo homer and a two-run shot off Finnegan. He came into the game with seven career homers. Garcia also doubled and scored on Tommy Pham’s double.

Getting a chance to start in a day game after a night game, Garcia — who usually faces right-handed pitchers — got his first career homers off a lefty.

“I hadn’t hit many home runs, so you remember most of them,” Garcia said.

Pham singled twice, doubled, walked, stole two bases and scored twice.