Cincinnati Reds lose again as Kevin Newman walks it off for Diamondbacks
PHOENIX — If this wasn’t hitting bottom, the Cincinnati Reds may not want to look down.
Monday in Phoenix started with the news that they’d lost their leadoff hitter to a second broken bone in two months and ended by losing a game when the only All-Star on the roster couldn’t hold one of the few ninth-inning leads they’ve had in three weeks.
When former teammate Kevin Newman delivered the game-winner on a two-run single to right off Reds closer Alexis Diaz, it send the Reds spinning to their 11th loss in 12 games and 14th in 17.
So much for all those playoff plans if a lineup more than decimated by injuries can finally put together back-to-back 10-hit performances, and they pitching staff can’t hold the lead.
No matter how good the opponent – defending National League champ or not.
No matter how early it might seem in the season.
The Reds were four games over .500 on April 24.
They’re 3-14 since, and until Sunday had one double-digit hitting output since that high-water mark – on the way to sinking to the bottom of the majors in batting last week.
With TJ Friedl back on the injured list because of that broken thumb in his sixth game back from the IL the first time, the prospects of scoring five runs at a time – never mind three comebacks in one night – look that much tougher.
If anything, the hitting deficits have overshadowed what’s been a difference this year in the performance of closer Diaz, who has not looked nearly as reliable so far this year as he did during a dominant first half that led to an All-Star appearance a year ago.
On this night he hit the first batter he faced and issued a pair of two-out walks to set the stage for Newman.
And as much as manager David Bell gave him a mulligan afterward, Diaz acknowledged that the numbers don’t lie when it comes to his command issues this year.
He has walked 12 and hit three batters in 15 1/3 innings this year, and only three of his 16 outings have been 1-2-3 innings.
“I don’t think I’m any different than last year,” he said in Spanish through interpreter Jorge Merlos. “Last year I was attacking the zone very well. This year there are pitches that have been going wide a little bit but I’m still trying to attack the zone as best as possible.
“Those things are going to change very soon.”
Meanwhile, Bell said he’s not concerned about his closer.
“I think Alexis has done a nice job of continuing to pitch with what he has,” he said. “He’s not going to have great command or his best stuff every night. He’s gotten it done on those nights a lot.
“He’s going to be fine.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds lose 11th in 12 on day they lost catalyst TJ Friedl
