Ten-game losing streak is longest for Reds since 2016

Manager David Bell talks about the team’s struggles before the game.

“Our goal right now is to get back to winning as a team as quickly as we possibly can,” Bell said. “From my standpoint, there are things that I get to see every day that are encouraging. I know it’s about results. I’m also very proud of the fact that our players continue to work. They continue to play hard. There’s no excuses. There’s no complaining. It’s going out and playing every day, and during times like this, that’s all you can do. Being around the game of baseball, you get tested at different points, and there’s no question we’re getting tested right now.”

The 2022 Reds tied the 1931 and 2018 Reds for the worst start in franchise history through 14 games. The 1931 Reds were 2-12 and then lost five more games before winning their third game. The 2018 Reds lost 13 games before winning their third game.

This is the first 10-game losing streak for the Reds since they lost 11 in a row from May 16-27, 2016. A season before that, the Reds lost 13 straight games from Sept. 20-Oct. 2. Those were the only double-digit losing streaks until now for the Reds at Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003.

In their history, the Reds now have 21 losing streaks of 10 or more games. The longest losing streak, 19 games, took place in September 1914. The 1937 Reds lost 16 straight. The Reds have lost 13 in a row three times, twelve in a row once, 11 in a row three times and 10 in a row 12 times. The 1989 Reds lost 10 in a row twice.

This loss spoiled the Great American Ball Park debut of Hunter Greene, who made his third start of the season and of his career. He allowed three earned runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals scored one run in the first just four minutes and two batters into the game. Dylan Carlson singled to lead off the game. The next batter, Paul Goldschmidt, singled to left and got by left fielder Tommy Pham. It rolled all the way to the wall, allowing Carlson to score.

Greene left the game with the bases loaded and one out in the third. Jeff Hoffman took over and gave up a two-run single to Goldschmidt as the Cardinals extended their lead to 3-0.

The Reds trailed 4-0 when they got on the board in the fifth. A single by Brandon Drury scored Aramis Garcia. In the ninth, a one-out groundout by Kyle Farmer scored Alejo Lopez.

The Reds have not scored more than two runs in their last seven games and have scored 39 runs in their first 14 games. That’s two more than the worst total in franchise history. The 1945 Reds scored 37 runs in their first 14 games.