The Cincinnati Reds knew what they were up against when they faced Shane Bieber on Sunday at Great American Ball Park.
Bieber, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a start in the last two years. He entered with a 1.73 ERA in his last 15 starts, plus a league-high 157 strikeouts in 98 2/3 innings.
When Wade Miley surrendered a three-run homer to Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez in the fourth inning, well, it became that much more of an uphill battle. Joey Votto hit a two-run double in the fifth inning, but that was all the damage the Reds could do against Bieber in a 6-3 loss.