Reds manager Bryan Price blasts team's lack of effort
Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price called his team's effort "unacceptable" in a 7-1 loss to the Indians in Cleveland on Monday night.
"What was disappointing and unacceptable tonight was that we didn't have our head in the game at all, especially in the first five innings," Price said after the game, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We had two guys who didn't remember how many outs there were, we had a pitcher that didn't cover first base on a ground ball to the right side. We had five base runners in the first three innings, and with that three-run homer, it seemed like the game was over.
"We did rally a bit and come to life a bit in the last couple of innings offensively and with a little bit of energy in the dugout, but it was unacceptable. We haven't done that much this year, but what happened tonight was unacceptable from an effort and mental perspective, it's not the way we play, it's not the way we'll play again. But we need a lot better than that."
More: MLB Power Rankings: Pirates keep rising as playoff push continues
The Reds recorded eight hits, scored just one run and left multiple men on base while starter Alfredo Simon yielded five earned runs over five innings in the loss, which dropped the team's record to 5-12 since the All-Star break.
Cincinnati opened Tuesday at 56-56, four games back in the National League Wild Card race and in fourth place in the NL Central.
- Chris Johnson
