Reds Lose Fourth Straight In Walk Off Fashion.

The Cincinnati Reds have been bitten by the walk off for the second straight game as they fall in the opener of the three game series to the SanDiego Padres 2-1 on Monday Night in PETCO Park in San Diego.

The offense once again scored only one run for the third time in the nine games played so far in the west coast road trip. They were facing Padres starter Sean O’Sullivan and you assumed maybe the Reds can get to him they had opportunities but as it been for the story from this ballclub this season is not getting the clutch hit and not hitting with runners in scoring position.

In the fifth inning Derrick Robinson leadoff with a triple to right center field, then Cesar Izturis grounded to first baseman Yonder Alonso who was about to throw home but hesitated and throw it didn’t get the out Robinson scored and Iztruis was safe at first with a fielders choice and gets a RBI to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. It looked like this was going to be a huge inning Jay Bruce with one out hit a ground rule double to left putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Todd Frazier on the first pitch popped out to the shortstop for the second out, Xavier Paul walked and then Devin Mesoraco grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning.

Reds starter Mike Leake pitched a great game going seven scoreless innings allowed four hits, no earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts. He was relieved by JJ Hoover in the eighth who pitched a perfect inning.

In the bottom of the ninth inning Aroldis Chapman came in hasn’t pitched since getting the save against the Dodgers in the first game of the series on Thursday. He allowed a lead off walk to Alonso it was a lengthy at bat battle. Then former Reds Chris Denorfia came up and on the first  pitch fastball at 98mph by Chapman  hit a bomb to center field for a walk off two run homerun to end it. It was Chapman fourth blown save of the season and 3rd walk off homerun he has allowed in his career.

With the loss the Reds are now 4-5 on the west coast trip with two more left in San Diego. Four straight game they have missed an opportunity to gain ground on the St Louis Cardinals who lost their fourth in a row yesterday  to the Pittsburgh Pirates, they still remain five games out of first in the NL Central. Tonight’s pitching matchup is a couple of power arms facing their former teams Mat Latos for the Reds and Edinson Volquez for the Padres. First pitch is at 10:10pm.