Lodolo endured a difficult game against the Nationals.
The Cincinnati Reds were defeated by the Washington Nationals 8-7 on Wednesday. It was a frustrating game for Cincinnati, as the offense has performed well yet the ball club still fell short in the end. Nick Lodolo started the game, but he struggled across four innings of work.
The Reds southpaw ultimately turned in four innings of five-run baseball. He was able to record six strikeouts, but Lodolo walked three in the outing.
It seemed as if Lodolo struggled to find a rhythm on the mound. The Nationals made him work and got the job done when he made mistakes.
Lodolo has only made two starts since returning from the IL, so his 8.68 ERA is not as bad as it seems. Overall, he has given up nine earned runs in 9.1 innings of work. The Reds are going to proceed with patience. They know that Lodolo can make an impact when he is on top of his game.
In 2025, Lodolo turned in a 3.33 ERA in 29 outings. It was a breakout campaign for the left-handed pitcher.
Lodolo is hoping to get back on track in his next outing. The Reds need him to figure things out sooner rather than later.
Reds Lose to Nationals 8-7 on Wednesday
Cincinnati did not play its best game on Wednesday. The offense attempted to help the team earn a victory, but the Nationals lineup got the job done.
Offensively for the Reds, Tyler Stephenson hit a home run and had four RBI. Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer both added two his in the defeat.
Overall, the ball club recorded seven hits and seven runs. The Reds' pitching did not perform well, though. Nevertheless, the seven-run outburst was encouraging. Perhaps it will give the Reds a momentum boost. They need something like that soon.
The Nationals now lead the Reds 2-0 in their three-game series. Washington has won back-to-back contests against Cincinnati. The Reds are hoping to avoid a sweep on Thursday.
The good news is that Chase Burns, who has emerged as an ace, is set to start on Thursday afternoon. Burns has pitched to a 2.11 ERA to go along with a 4-1 record. Meanwhile, Foster Griffin will start for Washington. He has turned in a 2.12 ERA.
First pitch for the Reds and Nationals game on Thursday afternoon is scheduled for 12:40 PM EST as Cincinnati looks to avoid a sweep at home.