The Cincinnati Reds got the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday night against the Washington Nationals, and a batter who’s hitting .182 against right-handed pitching this year lined out to end the Reds’ best chance at a walk-off victory.
Before right fielder Nick Senzel hit a weak line drive to the second baseman to end the inning with the score tied, Reds manager David Bell had used most of his bench. Usually this season, Senzel gets pinch-hit for when he faces a right-handed pitcher. On Friday, he got a rare opportunity in that matchup, and he didn’t take advantage of it.