CINCINNATI -- The Reds placed much of their hopes for progress this season on the arms of a young pitching staff. Not only has there not been any progress, it feels like things are going in reverse.
Thursday's 13-4 loss to the Cardinals gave the Reds a 2-10 record and five straight defeats. Cincinnati had battled back from two early deficits and took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the third inning. But starting pitcher Sal Romano and the bullpen were unable to post zeros while allowing four home runs. By the ninth inning, position player Cliff Pennington took the mound to finish.