Reds lose another runaway
CINCINNATI — Manager Bryan Price called it “a worn-out record.” Another day, another Cincinnati Reds opponent putting up a double-digit run total, another loss.
The Reds fell to 1-6 since the All-Star break — all home games — as Jake Lamb hit two three-run homers and Patrick Corbin pitched into the eighth inning during an emergency start to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 12-2 victory on Thursday at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati has allowed 10 runs or more in four of the past seven games. The Reds were outscored 35-12 during a four-game sweep by the Washington Nationals, and 26-8 in dropping two of three to the Diamondbacks.
“The problem is clear,” Price said. “Unfortunately, we’ve given up double figures in runs in four of these games. That’s the constant thing. We need to pitch better. It’s a worn-out record. I’m tired of talking about it.”
Reds rookie starter Luis Castillo gave up three runs before he recorded an out in the first inning. The right-hander walked Diamondbacks leadoff man Daniel Descalso, gave up a double to Chris Iannetta, then surrendered Lamb’s three-run shot.
That was the bad news. One bright spot for the Reds, however, was that Castillo (1-3) settled down and retired the next seven batters he faced. He allowed just one run and two hits, with seven strikeouts and no walks, in the rest of his six innings.
“We had to have it, we had to have the innings even though he didn’t really pitch to the top of his ability,” Price said.
The Reds managed only two solo homers by Eugenio Suarez. He led off the fourth with his 14th of the season. With one out in the eighth, he hit an opposite-field homer off of former Reds reliever J.J. Hoover to make it 6-2.
Lamb homered again in the ninth for a career-high six RBI, and Gregor Blanco and Ketel Marte added two-run shots for the Diamondbacks.
Arizona starter Taijuan Walker was scratched Thursday morning and placed on the paternity list. He returned to Phoenix to be with his wife, Heather, who was in labor with the couple’s first child. Corbin (7-9) allowed one run on seven hits and a walk in 7 innings.