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Reds’ Terry Francona says quiet part out loud about struggling offense
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- Reds’ Terry Francona says quiet part out loud about struggling offense
Reds’ Terry Francona says quiet part out loud about struggling offense appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Held to just one hit in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to the visiting San Francisco Giants , the Cincinnati Reds were unable to complete the series sweep. Despite being tied at the top of the NL Central with the Pittsburgh Pirates at 11-8, the Reds’ offense once again failed to show up. In 17 of their 19 games this season, Cincinnati has scored less than five runs. After yet another disappointing showing from their lineup, Reds manager Terry Francona was quite frank in his assessment of their attack. X (formerly Twitter) page Chatterbox Sports shared Francona’s thoughts about the offense’s recent performance.
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“Generating offense has been a lot harder for us than we want it to be, and today was one of those days,” Francona stated after the loss.
One hit will almost certainly never cut it. Reds catcher P.J. Higgins was the man who notched the lone base knock, singling off Giants starter Landen Roupp to open the sixth inning. To that point, Roupp was almost flawless. With a lineup featuring superstar shortstop Elly de la Cruz , veteran slugger Eugenio Suarez , and rising talents like first baseman Sal Stewart , Thursday’s performance was unacceptable.
The Reds’ brass knew improving the lineup would be key this offseason. They chased hometown hero Kyle Schwarber , only to see him resign with the Philadelphia Phillies . Cincinnati also checked in on other sluggers before reuniting with Suarez in free agency later in the winter. Third baseman Noelvi Marte was supposed to take another step, but he has been sent back down to the minors following a rough start. Christian Encarnacion-Strand was designated for assignment. Second baseman Matt McLain is struggling as well. If these hitters can’t get back on track, the Reds’ chances at returning to October will go up in smoke.
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