Cincinnati Reds scuffling lineup comes up short after rallying to end 3-day scoreless skid

At one point during the nearly nine innings of quiet created by the Cincinnati Reds lineup on Saturday night, a voice from the press box shouted, “Where the hell is Mike Ford?”

Apparently, that’s what it’s come to with a struggling Reds lineup that finally hit bottom against the Baltimore Orioles and a starter pitcher in just his seventh game in three seasons – until scoring their first run since Wednesday in the bottom of the ninth inning.

At least, they hope that was the bottom.

Because on MLB’s annual Star Wars-themed night, they came within two outs of the fourth, indeed, being with them – what would have been a fourth time getting shut out in 12 games.

As it was, Saturday’s 2-1 loss to John Means and the O’s bullpen sent them to a season-high fourth consecutive loss and dropped the Reds under .500 for the first time this season (16-17).

“Look, we’ve been battling. It seems like we just can’t buy one at the moment,” said Spencer Steer, whose one-out single in the ninth finally drove home the Reds’ first run since Wednesday.

“That last inning was great to see,” he said, adding sometimes a collective struggle can cause guys to press. “It feels like when you don’t score for that long it feels a lot longer than what it really is.”

Reds news How Cincinnati Reds practice what they reach over outfield walls around MLB | Press Box Wag

Reds Orioles Hunter Greene Cincinnati Reds lose pitcher's duel to Baltimore Orioles 3-0 after Hunter Greene departs

The Reds hadn't scored a run since the fifth inning of their series finale in San Diego on Wednesday, when Jeimer Candelario singled home Santiago Espinal to tie that game.

Since then, they’ve been outscored 9-1 with just nine hits to show for those next 21 innings, and 23 strikeouts.

And it took a scoring change Saturday to get that many hits, after Jonathan India’s sixth-inning infield single was originally ruled an error on a throw that skipped past first.

In either case, India didn’t last long on the bases. Second baseman Jorge Mateo backed up the play and threw India out at second trying to advance.

Whether that's an indication of the pressing Steer admitted he, too, was battling, the sixth-inning play is as good a way as any to sum up how it’s gone for this group of hitters since the team opened a six-week gauntlet of pennant contenders from both leagues.

By the time a double play and line out to left ended the eighth, the boos started coming in from left field.

And by the time Candelario popped out to left to leave the bases loaded to end the game, a stronger chorus of boos descended.

“It’s been a challenge for us, playing really good teams,” Steer said. “But these are the teams you’re going to play in the playoffs, and that’s our goal, right, to get to the playoffs and make a run.

“You’re going to have to find ways to beat really good teams, and you’ve got to find ways to beat really good pitchers,” he said. “So maybe we can learn from this and when the next time comes, and we face these guys, be better.”

For now, the Reds are 4-8 during a tough stretch of games that continues all month and includes all seven games this season against both the $300 million Los Angeles Dodgers and defending NL-champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

That includes the three recent shutouts in games started by the Phillies’ Ranger Suarez, Phillies’ Zack Wheeler, and Orioles’ Cole Irvin.

In many ways, the most impressive starting performance belonged to Means — who was making his season debut after returning last season from Tommy John surgery to make four starts before a setback kept him out the playoffs and cost him the first month of this season.

He needed just 85 pitches to three-hit the Reds for seven innings Saturday, striking out eight without allowing a walk.

All of which might make you wonder why the Reds let slugger Ford go after he hit six homers for Triple-A Louisville then opted out of his minor-league deal — putting the Reds on the clock until the end of Friday to promote him or release him.

And judging by social media you wouldn’t be the only one wondering why they chose the latter instead of rolling the dice on a different bat during such a tough slump, officially announcing his release before Saturday’s game.

“I know Mike really well. I have a lot of respect for Mike. He’s definitely going to land on his feet somewhere. He can really hit. There’s absolutely no question about that,” manager David Bell said when asked about the decision.

So why exactly then?

“I’m so focused on our team and grateful for the players that we have here, and all in on who we have here,” Bell said. “That’s my focus every day.”

So was there much discussion?

“Sure. Everything is discussed,” Bell said. “Everything is considered, non-stop. That’s what we do, throughout the organization. That’s the truth.”

Whether it’s an answer or not, discussions aren’t the only things swirling non-stop for the Reds these days.

“The results will come,” said Reds starter Andrew Abbott, whose two mis-located pitches in five innings Saturday turned into solo homers by Jorge Mateo in the fourth and Adley Rutschman in the fifth.

“It’s just a matter of time. Just keep going; that’s what we keep saying every day,” said Abbott, who said he doesn’t feel added pressure on the pitching staff. “Just keep playing how we can play.

“Eventually, it’ll turn the corner, and we’ll get on a nice win streak, and we’ll be looking back on this and saying it’s all part of the process.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds nearly come up empty again, lose 2-1 to Baltimore O's