ST. LOUIS – After two tight games against the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals, the Cincinnati Reds had a letdown in all phases Saturday during the first game of their doubleheader.
Mike Minor had a disastrous start in a 5-1 loss at Busch Stadium, lasing only three innings while trying to protect a taxed bullpen. The offense went quiet. The defense wasn’t charged with any errors, but there were costly misplays.
Minor required 89 pitches to record nine outs. He walked five batters, matching a career high that he set in 2012. He faced 19 batters, and more than half reached base.