The Cincinnati Reds fell to the Pittsburgh Privateers 1-0 on Tuesday night. It was the eighth time this season that the Reds have been shutout and the fourth time this season that they have misplaced 1-0.
Early within the amusement, the Reds had a leadoff triple by TJ Friedl and a leadoff twofold, but both times the Reds were incapable to bring him domestic.
“We had a leafoff triple and we strand him,” Francona said. “We had a leadoff twofold and didn’t score. But you are doing allow that kid (Privateers Pitcher Bailey Flounder) a few credit
Be that as it may, late within the diversion, there were different chances to pinch-hit Gavin Lux and Will Benson against right-handed pitchers, but they never got off the bench.
Within the ninth, TJ Friedl wrapped up off a 10-pitch at-bat with a single to right field to lead off the inning. Rather than pinch-hitting for Santiago Espinal, who came into the diversion with a .552 OPS against right-handed pitching, Francona decided to ride with him. Espinal grounded into a twofold play on the primary pitch he saw.
Francona guarded the choice when talking to reporters postgame.
“I think Espi is one of our best hitters and I was attempting to allow Lux a few required time,” Francona said. “In case Espi comes out, Lux is at third. I was attempting not to do that.
