Reds rank among MLB's worst offenses in September; Michael Siani OK after leaving game
Bobby NightengalePITTSBURGH – All teams look flat when they’re not scoring runs and the Cincinnati Reds rank among the worst offenses in September.
The Reds entered Wednesday’s series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates with an MLB-low .215 batting average in September. They rank 29th in runs per game (3.31), 29th in on-base percentage (.288) and 28th in slugging percentage (.360).
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There are only four players hitting above .230 this month: Stuart Fairchild, Matt Reynolds, Alejo Lopez and Jake Fraley.
“One part of the game isn’t clicking, there’s the pressure of guys trying to do too much,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “It’s a real fine line when we’re not scoring runs. Our hitters are continuing to do absolutely everything they can. They’re working like crazy. I know it doesn’t make it easier to sleep at night for them, but I do know that it pays off.”
The Reds are without four regular starters because of injuries – Joey Votto, Tyler Stephenson, Mike Moustakas and Nick Senzel – and they traded three hitters at the trade deadline.
In their last 19 games, they are hitting .167 with runners in scoring position (22 for 132). They’ve scored three or fewer runs in 15 of those 19 games and they’re leaving an average of 6.7 runners on base.
Shortstop Jose Barrero entered Wednesday in a 2-for-31 stretch with 17 strikeouts. Outfielder Aristides Aquino was 3-for-36 with 14 strikeouts. Catcher Chuckie Robinson was 2-for-34 in September and catcher Austin Romine was hitless in his last 14 at-bats. Kyle Farmer recently snapped a 0-for-18 slump.
There is the cliché that hitting is contagious and the Reds are in a stretch where it’s in the wrong direction.
“Hitting goes back and forth,” Farmer said. “You just have to ride the wave.”
Michael Siani is OK after leaving Reds game vs. Pirates
Reds rookie center fielder Michael Siani exited Tuesday’s game against the Pirates in the eighth inning after his head hit the ground on an attempted diving catch.
“Went to dive, chest landed first and just hit my forehead a little bit on the ground,” Siani said.
Siani, who recorded the first two hits of his Major League career earlier in Tuesday’s game, had a long chat with head trainer Sean McQueeney before walking to the dugout. He didn’t show any concussion symptoms afterward.
“It’s just one of those things,” Siani said. “You have to be more cautious. I feel all right. Just dinged up a little bit, but nothing serious.”
Siani lined a single to left field in the second inning for his first career hit, a low fastball from Pirates starter Mitch Keller. He clapped a couple of times and shook hands with first-base coach Delino DeShields as teammates in the dugout called for the ball.
“A little bit of the weight off the shoulders,” Siani said.
Reds injury updates: Justin Dunn, Aramis Garcia, Robert Dugger
Three Reds players on rehab assignments at Triple-A Louisville will join the big-league club in Chicago for its upcoming series, but no decisions have been made about activating them on the roster.
Right-hander Justin Dunn, who went on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder tightness, pitched three scoreless innings in his rehab start Tuesday. Dunn struck out four and walked two, throwing 46 pitches.
“I haven’t talked to him yet,” Bell said. “I saw in a written report that he said he felt great. (Director of Physical Therapy) Brad Epstein said today that he spoke with him, and it was the best he’s felt, so really encouraging.”
Catcher Aramis Garcia played four games in his rehab assignment entering Wednesday’s Triple-A finale, two starts at catcher and two starts as the designated hitter. He was 3-for-16 at the plate with a double, a homer and three RBI.
Pitcher Robert Dugger, who has been out since Aug. 8, made four appearances on his rehab assignment, allowing five runs on eight hits and nine walks in 7 2/3 innings while striking out seven.