In a recent commentary, National Baseball Hall of Famer and former Cincinnati Reds player Barry Larkin analyzed a pivotal moment in the Reds’ narrow 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park. He highlighted that a better execution on the field could have impacted the outcome in the top of the 9th inning.
Larkin noted that had Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz handled left fielder Gavin Lux’s throw cleanly or allowed second baseman Matt McLain to take over as the relay man, the Reds might have successfully thrown out Dodgers pinch-runner James Outman at the plate. Play-by-play announcer John Sadak echoed this sentiment, suggesting De La Cruz had a legitimate chance at making the play if the throw had arrived more accurately.
The moment was crucial, as Outman, who substituted for Michael Conforto after a walk, scored on Will Smith’s two-out, go-ahead RBI double. Larkin appreciated Lux’s effort in playing the rebound off the wall, indicating that the sequence could have unfolded differently with a more precise relay.
In light of their recent performances, including insights from experts ahead of the upcoming games, Reds fans can remain optimistic about their team’s potential. Improvement in defensive plays may enhance their competitiveness in future matchups.