RedsXtra: Despite losing record, David Bell says Cincinnati Reds are close to taking next step

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Josh VanMeter hit a two-run homer to lift the Reds to a 4-3 victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOENIX – Manager David Bell has embraced analytics as the Reds look to catch up to some of the premier analytical franchises, but there is one stat that carries more weight for Bell.

When he woke up Saturday, the stat read: 69-79. The Reds are set to finish with a sub-.500 record for the sixth consecutive season. They will likely avoid a 90-loss season for the first time since 2014, but they were out of the playoff race throughout the final month of the year.

The Reds never recovered from their 1-8 start, failing to sustain a long…