Brady Singer’s rough stretch kept rolling Thursday, and the Reds paid for it in an 8-2 loss to the Dodgers that underscored just how far Cincinnati has drifted from the preseason goal of getting back to the postseason.
The defeat dropped the Reds to 71-82 and locked in their ninth losing season in the last 13 years. More than the final score, the game looked like a snapshot of the problems that have followed this club all year: shaky pitching, too little offense, and no real cushion when things start going sideways.
Singer was hit hard again, and the early damage came fast. The Dodgers scored seven times over the first four innings, with Kyle Tucker driving the first big blow on a two-run homer in the opening frame, then adding an RBI double in the second. Max Muncy followed with a two-run double in the fourth as Los Angeles kept piling on.
Singer’s line told the story. He got only 3 1/3 innings, gave up nine hits and four walks, and never found any rhythm.
Over his last three outings, he has now allowed 21 hits, 21 runs and 15 walks. With numbers like that, the Reds may have to think hard about whether they want to extend a qualifying offer to him this offseason.
Cincinnati’s bats couldn’t answer in any meaningful way. Sal Stewart’s solo homer in the fourth inning was the lone real bright spot, and the Reds were held to just one more run after that by the Dodgers’ bullpen. It was the third time in the last four games against Los Angeles that Cincinnati’s offense had gone quiet.
That lack of production made the pitching problems even tougher to survive. When the lineup isn’t carrying its weight, the margin for error disappears quickly - especially against a Dodgers team that punishes mistakes.
The Reds now move on to a three-game series against the Cubs starting Friday evening, their final set against an NL Central opponent this season. Chase Burns (15-3, 2.80 ERA) is expected to face Clay Holmes (6-7, 2.85 ERA).
The game will air on Reds.TV and 700 WLW.
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