Thursday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs was already slipping out of reach when struggling Reds reliever David Hernandez threw a 94-mph fastball to Kris Bryant with two runners in scoring position.
Bryant broke his bat on a soft-hit ground ball up the middle. Shortstop José Peraza whiffed as he tried to make a barehanded play on the run and the ball rolled to the edge of the outfield, scoring two runs.
It was an ugly start to an important four-game series against the top team in the National League Central. Kyle Farmer pitched the final four outs, just the second time the Reds have used a position player to pitch this season.