ATLANTA -- Especially when a team like the Reds is not firing on all cylinders, alert decision making in the moment and doing the little things become all the more critical.
On Tuesday night in a tough 2-1 loss to the Braves in 10 innings at Truist Park, a breakdown on a key ninth-inning play cost the Reds a chance to win the game.
Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth inning on Santiago Espinal's RBI single that scored Elly De La Cruz. Closer Emilio Pagán got the ball in the bottom of the ninth and issued a leadoff walk to Sean Murphy after getting a full count.
With speedy pinch-runner Stuart Fairchild in for Murphy and one out, Michael Harris II slashed a double to right field. Jake Fraley retrieved the ball before it bounced to the warning track. Fraley's throw went to second baseman Matt McLain, who briefly hesitated before making his relay home as Fairchild was waved around.
That split-second pause was just enough for Fairchild to slide into the plate for the tying run.
What happened there?
“There was a hesitation, but [McLain] was on his way over to set up for a play at home, so he was going back because the throw was going more towards second," manager Terry Francona said. "There were a few things happening there.”
Video showed McLain moving to the right side of the infield to await the cutoff throw before drifting back closer to second base as Fraley fired in that direction.
"I saw the throw coming toward second," Harris said. "[McLain] caught it, turned around and probably thought he was staying at third."
There appeared to be no Reds infielders close enough to tell McLain that Fairchild was not stopping at third base.
“We really didn’t have anybody," Francona said. "If [McLain] was over where he was going, [first baseman Spencer] Steer is behind him. Throw took him over there so there’s nobody there.”
“I think, kind of hindsight with Harris hitting, there was no play at second," McLain said. "I should have been lined up before he threw me the ball. I had a good send, it was just too late.”
Already turned the wrong way, did McLain think Fairchild might hold up?
“I think I was just in the wrong spot and it put me behind," McLain said. "You get a better view, you get a better turn if I’m lined up four [to the plate]. You could always check down after that -- hold the ball or throw it. The most important runner is the runner on first so you've got to protect that.”
It was Pagán's second blown save in 10 chances this season.
In the bottom of the 10th inning with Alex Verdugo the automatic runner on second base, Francona elected to have reliever Lyon Richardson intentionally walk hot-hitting Austin Riley. On a 1-2 sinker, Marcell Ozuna hit the walk-off RBI single to left field.
"You’re in a tough spot there," Francona said. "If they score, they win. We elected to walk Riley, which I would do again. It’s a difficult spot, but Lyon will pitch for us again and hopefully it’s tomorrow.”
The Reds have dropped four consecutive games and six of their last eight. They scored one run or zero in five of those six losses.
“It may not be in our favor right now, but tomorrow’s a new day so we can turn the page and come ready to go tomorrow," said Reds starter Andrew Abbott, who worked five scoreless innings with four hits, no walks and eight strikeouts in a no-decision.
Cincinnati's loss came after the club was able to outlast Braves ace Chris Sale, who struck out 10 over 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
“It’s never fun to lose, especially in ways like that," McLain said. "But you’ve got to keep grinding. There’s times when we’re on the other side of it. It’s a long season and you just got to put your head down and keep going to work.”