Game Thread: 8/13 Padres @ Reds

Yesterday we got off to a good start, but for the third time on this road trip our bullpen couldn't keep the lead. Fresh off the DL, Nick Hundley went 3-for-3, including a monster home run to left center. Mat Latos was dealing, working seven innings and allowing just two runs on four hits. But Josh Spence, who has been pitching lights out since being called up in June, finally came back down to Earth and gave up a three-run homer in the eighth to give the Cincinnati a come-from-behind win.

Today we will try to come back and even up the series behind Tim Stauffer, who is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in his career against the Reds. In his last outing, Stauffer gave up four runs to the Mets in the first three innings, but kept them to one hit over the next four innings. Hopefully having Hundley back behind the plate and in the lineup will help Stauffer find success earlier in the game, as well as rally the offense to some run support off Reds starter Homer Bailey.

Bailey, who is 2-0 in his career against San Diego, is eager to get back on the mound. His last start was cut short by a rain delay that took him out of the game early. In the three innings he pitched before the rain delay, he gave up five runs on six hits. He will be looking to bounce back and redeem himself today against our Padres, but it won't be that easy.

We are 5-3 so far on this road trip, averaging 7.75 runs per game and outscoring opponents 62-36. All three losses came after leading our opponents going into the eighth inning. Hopefully we see an end to our bullpen woes today and take advantage of a Padres offense that has been thriving for most of this road trip.

GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!

P.S. Kyle Blanks will start today in place of Jesus Guzman, who has a sore elbow after landing hard on it in yesterday's game.

I'll just leave this here now and hopefully we won't have to bust it out during the game: