Reds lose again on late-inning shot by Cardinals, drop 7th of 9

ST. LOUIS – Another day, another loss for the Cincinnati Reds.

This time it was an eighth-inning blown save that cost the Reds in a 6-5 loss to the Cardinals that clinched a series loss.

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In the latest iteration of Reds Relievers Gone Wild, the bullpen guys didn’t actually issue any unintentional walks.

But even the hot hand in the group, lefty Sam Moll, couldn’t escape the continuing woes of the beleaguered bullpen. After getting the final out of the seventh in a one-run game, Moll got just three batters into the eighth before Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbar drove a 1-2 pitch well over the right field wall for a game-winning, two-run home run that sent the Reds to their seventh loss in nine games.

The shot by Nootbar — who only returned from the injured list Friday after offseason surgery on both feet — dropped the Reds under .500 (31-32) for the first time since they lost the season opener to Boston (after, ahem, the pen’s first blown save of the season).

The Reds had the lead for most of the game until then, rallying for three in the third with the sizable help of a Cardinals error to tie the game — then taking the lead on struggling Matt McLain‘s two-run homer in the fourth.

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Reds starter Nick Lodolo got peppered for three runs on five singles in the second, then retired eight of 10 before allowing a solo home run to Jordan Walker in the fifth.

By then he had the lead and got two batters deep into the sixth (hit and throwing error) before turning it over to the bullpen.

The Reds loaded the bases in the ninth with a pair of two-out singles and a walk.

We dug through the Enquirer archives and found some of our favorite photos of Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Mario Soto.

The three-time All-Star went on to become a pitching coach for the Reds. He’s second on the team’s strikeout leaders list with 1,449 strikeouts.

Take a look at Soto through the years.

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We dug through the Enquirer archives and found some of our favorite photos of Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Mario Soto.

The three-time All-Star went on to become a pitching coach for the Reds. He’s second on the team’s strikeout leaders list with 1,449 strikeouts.

Take a look at Soto through the years.

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Mario Soto pitched for the Cincinnati Reds from 1977-1988.

He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2001.

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April 2, 1984: Mario Soto (left) is congratulated by catcher Dan Bilardello after stopping the Mets, 8-1, on seven hits.

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May 1985: Pete Rose gives encouragement to Mario Soto.

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March 1987: Pitcher Mario Soto, taking a break in the outfield, is at the top of Terry Francona’s list of toughest Reds pitchers.

Asked to name the three Reds pitchers he least liked to face, Francona said: ‘Soto, Soto, Soto.’

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March 31, 1987: Cincinnati Reds pitching ace Mario Soto in action at spring training.

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Feb. 14, 2008: Former Reds great, pitcher and now coach, Mario Soto loosens his arm as a workout begins.

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June 23, 2012: Former Cincinnati Red Mario Soto salutes the fans during the Hall of Fame Class of 2012 ceremonies.

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Feb. 22, 2015: Reds manager Bryan Price (center) is flanked by coaches Mario Soto (left) and Mack Jenkins (right) as they observe pitching drills.

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Cincinnati Reds special assistant Mario Soto gets ready for the day during Cincinnati Reds spring training, Feb. 20, 2017, at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Arizona.

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Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mario Soto walks the outfield, Feb. 16, 2019, at the Cincinnati Reds spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona.

Sal Stewart, who started his final at-bat with a 3-0 count after winning his third ABS challenge of the game, appeared to draw a tying walk before the Cards, in turn, won a challenge on a Ball 4 call.

He eventually grounded a 3-2 pitch to second for the final out.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds lose again on late-inning shot by Cardinals, drop 7th of 9