As struggles persist, Reds must recapture early success

CLEVELAND -- Remember when the Reds ended April on top of the National League Central as they owned the second-best record in baseball? While that may feel like a distant memory, it really did happen.

Over the past 2 1/2 weeks of May, much of that success has been undone. A 10-3 defeat Sunday to the Guardians at Progressive Field left the Reds losers in 12 of 16 games this month. Once 20-11, the club now has a 24-23 record and is tied with the Pirates for last in the division – five games behind the first-place Cubs.

After posting a 10-2 record on the road, Cincinnati has dropped 10 of its last 11 road games, including two of three in Cleveland.

Along the way, the Reds have lost closer Emilio Pagán (left hamstring), starting pitcher Rhett Lowder (right shoulder) and catcher Jose Trevino (left hamstring) to injuries.

The rest of the month offers little sanctuary. The road trip continues Monday with the first of three games at Philadelphia as the resurgent Phillies have won 15 of their last 19 games since installing Don Mattingly as interim manager.

Back home next weekend are three games vs. the surprising third-place Cardinals, followed by the Mets on the road in New York. The month concludes at home vs. the Braves, who currently own the best record in baseball.

“It’s baseball. It’ll punch you right in the gut more times than not," said Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer. "It’s obviously tough but there’s a lot of season left. I’m obviously trusting these guys a lot. We’re not changing how we’re acting or anything like that. You don’t see guys down or anything. A great group of guys and I trust them with everything I have and I’m excited for the next one and the rest of the season.”

Singer lasted only four innings and allowed five runs and seven hits – including three homers – with one walk and three strikeouts while throwing 86 pitches. In four May starts, Singer is 0-3 with an 8.47 ERA.

Now tied for second in the Major Leagues with 14 home runs allowed, Singer has given up 11 of them over his last 22 1/3 innings in five starts.

“When he missed, he paid a big price," manager Terry Francona said. "We knew going into the game they had nine left-handers [batting], and that’s a challenge. He had to work for everything.”

Cleveland took a 2-0 first-inning lead when Chase DeLauter drove an 0-1 slider to right field for a two-run homer. In the third inning with one out, DeLauter hit a single before Kyle Manzardo lifted a 2-2 sweeper to right field for another two-run homer that made it a 4-1 game.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Brayan Rocchio put a 2-2 Singer sweeper into the first row of right-field seats for a solo homer and a 5-2 score.

“I was able to get to two strikes, that was kind of what I wanted to do – attack the zone and get to two strikes. I just couldn’t put them away," said Singer, who is 2-4 with a 6.26 ERA in 10 starts overall.

If there was any good news from the start, Singer’s right foot and ankle showed no ill-effects after it was struck by a comebacker that forced him out of his previous start on Tuesday vs. the Nationals.

"It’s still obviously there a little bit but I don’t feel it when I pitch or anything like that," Singer said.

Against Guardians starter Gavin Williams, Reds hitters had limited success. Batting lefty, Elly De La Cruz slugged a two-out solo homer to left field and added a double in the fifth inning. The fourth inning opened with three-straight singles, including Nathaniel Lowe's RBI hit to left-center field. But Sal Stewart was picked off second base and the rest of the inning went nowhere.

For the Reds' bullpen came more hardship. Although relievers gave up only three walks, Brock Burke, Connor Phillips and Tejay Antone each gave up a homer as Cincinnati tied a season high with six allowed in the game.

Cincinnati's bullpen has a Major League-worst 8.45 ERA over its last 18 games. On Sunday, it appeared the three relievers were trying to stay in the strike zone.

“It’s always an effort," Francona said. I hear [pitching coach Derek Johnson] preaching it every day just about attacking the zone. Because with the stuff most of these guys have, they’re going to be OK. It’s a little difficult right now.”