Drew Hayes had his chance to pitch in a meaningful situation for the Cincinnati Reds. With runners at the corners, one out and the Reds clinging to a one-run lead, Hayes entered the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants.
Like virtually every excuse for a Reds’ reliever before him this year, Hayes served up a demoralizing home run that snatched another victory away from the Reds.
The 28-year-old rookie fared well during his seven years in the minor leagues. His major league career is not off to a promising start. Hayes was only charged with the one run from the three-run homer. It was the third home run he’s surrendered in just 8.1 innings. He was charged with another run in the eighth to raise his ERA to 7.56 on the season.
The blast sealed the loss for Hayes’ predecessor, J.C. Ramirez. The 27-year-old Nicaraguan looked like he might be in line to be an important reliever for the Reds before last night.
Ramirez struck out the first hitter he faced then threw batting practice to the next four hitters before he was yanked from the game.
Ramirez now looks like he belongs in the scrap heap that is the Reds’ pitiful bullpen. His 6.48 ERA is in line with the bullpen 6.54 ERA that easily ranks the Reds’ bullpen dead last in baseball.
The Reds have a bullpen of relievers unwanted by other teams. Those relievers are collectively showing why no teams want their services. There may not be one reliever in the Reds’ current bullpen good enough to make any other team in the majors.
The Reds do have a bumper crop of starting pitchers that could furnish a couple of bullpen arms. But until enough starters are healthy enough to allow the Reds to round out their preferred starting rotation, the bullpen will feature a carousel of cast-offs and career minor leaguers.
The grim forecast at the start of the season for the Reds is quickly becoming a reality. Now at 10-16, the Reds are on a percentage pace to lose 100 games in 2016.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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