Reds Drop Another One Run Game To Red Sox 4-3

BOSTON- Another Cincinnati Reds game,

May 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher J.J. Hoover (60) pitches during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

another one-run game as the Reds are now 5-11 in those games, and that was the case tonight. Will Middlebrooks’ only hit of the game, a bases-loaded, RBI single in the eighth inning, gave the Boston Red Sox their first lead, and they made it stand up for a 4-3 win over the Reds at Fenway Park on Wednesday night.

In the eighth, Reds left-hander Manny Parra struck out designated hitter David Ortiz, then walked first baseman Mike Napoli before leaving.

J.J. Hoover gave up a walk to pinch hitter Jonny Gomes and a run-scoring ground-rule double to catcher A.J. Pierzynski that tied the game. After an intentional walk to center fielder Jackie Bradley, Middlebrooks’ single scored Gomes with the go-ahead run.

Sox left-hander Craig Breslow earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning.

Hoover took the loss.

Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out the side, to earn his eighth save.

Center fielder Skip Schumaker’s first home run of the season gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the third inning.

Schumaker, who began the season on the disabled list with a dislocated left shoulder suffered in spring training, was activated Saturday. His home run, into the right field seats with one out, scored Chris Heisey, who had doubled to open the inning.

It was the seventh home run of the season allowed by Red Sox right-hander Jake Peavy, who had given up one in each of his six previous starts.

The Sox had four hits against Reds starter Mike Leake in the first five innings, but Leake induced two inning-ending double plays to get out of trouble.

The Sox tied the game in the sixth. Ortiz’s single scored Jonathan Herrera, who had led off with a single, and Napoli’s double scored right fielder Shane Victorino, who had singled.

After left fielder Grady Sizemore grounded out, an intentional walk to Pierzynski loaded the bases, but Bradley grounded out to end the inning.

Leake gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out four.

The Reds took back the lead in the seventh when the first three batters reached against Boston starter Jake Peavy, knocking him from the game. Chris Capuano replaced Peavy to face Roger Benardina, whose groundout scored Todd Frazier for the go-ahead run.

Peavy gave up three runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out four.

Reds will head back home to start a six game homestand on Friday night, with the hot Colorado Rockies team in for the three game weekend set. Johnny Cueto will get the ball for game 1 of the series, perfect!