CINCINNATI -- Along with their pitching, defense has been a big part of the Reds' largely successful first two weeks while also providing cover for an offense that's often been meager but just enough.
“It’s tough," Friedl said. "These patches come through 162 games and ours is right now. Our pitching and our defense have done an incredible job thus far without the bats really going and we’re still where we’re at. It’s only a matter of time before things start rolling.”
Cincinnati (8-6) has dropped three consecutive games after enjoying a five-game win streak and being tied for first place in the National League Central. Through 14 games, the club is last in MLB with 41 runs scored (2.93 per game).
The Reds signed Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million contract in February to boost run production. Rookie and top prospect Sal Stewart also added length to the lineup. Despite going 0-for-3 with a walk, Stewart has been -- by far -- the club's most productive hitter while batting .340 with a 1.139 OPS and four homers.
Although Suárez's two singles on Friday amounted to half of the Reds' four hits in the game, he is batting .231 with a .651 OPS. Friedl, the leadoff hitter is at .154 with 15 strikeouts. Matt McLain, who led MLB in numerous offensive categories during Spring Training while batting .512 with six homers, is homerless in the regular season while batting .218 with a .601 OPS.
Ditto for Spencer Steer (.182, one homer), Tyler Stephenson (.182, two homers) and Ke'Bryan Hayes (.088, no homers).
Asked about what the collective issue has been so far, Friedl initially took a long pause.
“I don’t know. I think it’s just baseball’s such a momentum-based game," he said. "When we’re not swinging the bat. We’re not stringing together some hits, it just feels like everyone’s waiting for that one big hit, waiting for the flood gates to open. And that’s kind of how the game goes. And tomorrow you wake up and put up 15 hits. As a group, we’re just riding this out, sticking together, having each other’s backs just knowing that in this game, things can turn in an instant.”
On Friday, Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz gave up one run and two hits over seven innings. The Reds' best scoring chance against Kochanowicz came in the fifth inning when the right-hander walked the bases loaded, all with one out. Friedl and McLain both grounded out to end the inning.
The fifth inning began with Steer scorching a drive to the warning track in center field that was caught by Mike Trout. It was similar to one hit nearly to the same spot in the second inning with Suárez on first base. Both balls were hit at more than 100 mph.
“I kind of told them today as long as they don’t feel sorry for themselves -- and they won’t -- we’ll figure this out together," manager Terry Francona said. "They’re good workers. They’re great kids, they’re great teammates. Just got to plug away and they will and we will. I fully believe that guys get to their level, as long as they’re healthy, and I will enjoy watching that. Hope it starts tomorrow.”
After taking a 0.82 ERA through two starts into the night, Burns struggled with commanding his fastball and paid for it. He gave up five earned runs, seven hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings with two strikeouts and two home runs allowed.
The Angels were already up, 2-0, in the third inning when Trout led off with a drive to center field. Friedl timed his jump perfectly and snared the ball to prevent extra bases and possibly even a homer.
“It was maybe top of the wall, maybe not but either way I had to jump just to get up and make sure I’m up before the wall," Friedl said.
In the fourth inning, Zach Neto hit a two-out, two-run homer to center field on a 2-2 fastball. Josh Lowe added a leadoff homer off Burns in the sixth.
“Just a combination of things," Burns said. "Maybe overthrowing. Just not being able to locate up and in to some guys. When you get it low, mid-thigh, and they can time up a heater, that’s what happens.”
Reds hitters, which have been held to two runs or fewer seven times already, are looking for the moment when such outcomes consistently happen for them, too.