ruckman Jonathan Giles means West Coast will have the luxury of giving Lycet | Forum

WASHINGTON -- There are plenty of reasons why the Cincinnati Reds have lost eight of nine and are in last place, 22 games under . Jaire Alexander Packers Jersey .500.At the top of the list: Ineffective starting pitching.Brandon Finnegan was the latest culprit, allowing eight runs in an abbreviated performance that sent Cincinnati on its way to a 13-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.Finnegan (3-7) gave up five hits, five walks and two home runs in 2 1/3 innings. He had never yielded more runs, or gotten fewer outs, in any of his previous major league starts.You all saw the game. Not much to say about it, Finnegan said. It was definitely my worst outing of the year -- of my life, honestly. Just have to get ready for my next start.Thats the mantra of a starting rotation that has put tremendous pressure on an overworked bullpen. Although Michael Lorenzen provided three innings of shutout relief, manager Bryan Price was anything but elated.A large part of our ability to win is going to come down to what were able to do with our starting pitching and the ability to shrink the length of game thats being pitched by our bullpen, Price said. We saw Lorenzen tonight, very good, three huge innings for us in what was getting out of hand, but unfortunately that means we dont have Lorenzen (next game).Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati, which has yielded 40 runs in its last four games -- all of them defeats.Danny Espinosas second career slam put Washington up 8-1 in the third inning, and he added a three-run homer in the fourth to make it 13-1. Espinosa ranks second on the team with 15 homers despite usually batting eighth.The switch-hitter connected off Finnegan batting right-handed, then went deep from the left side against Josh Smith. He is the first Nationals player ever to homer from both sides of the plate, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Gio Gonzalez (4-7) gave up four runs and struck out nine over six innings for the NL East-leading Nationals, whose current five-game winning streak comes on the heels of a seven-game skid. Gonzalez was 0-6 with an 8.44 ERA in his previous seven starts.Ryan Zimmerman got the rout started with a three-run homer in the first inning against the lowly Reds.Washington tied a season high for runs in a game without receiving a contribution from reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, who was given the night off by manager Dusty Baker.His legs are a little tired, Baker said, noting that Harper twisted his ankle earlier in the week. Hes been playing through things the last couple days.HIT PARADEReds: It was the second time in seven games that Cincinnati lost by nine runs. The Reds have allowed at least 13 runs eight times this season.Nationals: During its five-game winning streak, Washington has outscored the opposition 36-12.TRAINERS ROOMReds: RHP Caleb Cotham (right shoulder inflammation) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday night at Class-AA Pensacola against Chattanooga. Manager Bryan Price said the plan is to have Cotham pitch around five times in the minors, and then well reassess. Cotham has been on the DL since May 31. ... OF Billy Hamilton passed concussion protocol and was in the starting lineup after being struck in the face by a deflected line drive Wednesday.Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (back, ribs) is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, but that almost certainly will not happen. Im more inclined not to rush him, Baker said.UP NEXTReds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 1.52 ERA) makes his fifth start of the season, bringing a 13-inning scoreless streak into Friday nights game against Washington.Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (7-5, 2.96) is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA over his last four starts. Darnell Savage Jr. Youth Jersey . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Paul Hornung Packers Jersey .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. http:///...Gary-Packers-Jersey/ . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. West Coast coach Adam Simpson has refused to buy into the trade talk surrounding out-of-favour defender Eric Mackenzie, saying rival clubs shouldnt publicly target players who are still in the AFL finals race.Essendon coach John Worsfold ruffled some feathers last week when he said he would consider luring Mackenzie and Mitch Brown to the Bombers.Mackenzie has struggled to recapture top form since missing all of last year with a knee injury.The 2014 club champion has featured in just two games since round 11, falling behind emerging star Tom Barrass in the pecking order.Brown, who also underwent a knee reconstruction last year, is another player whose future at West Coast looks bleak.Although both Brown and Mackenzie are contracted for next season, the duo could seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.Simpson refused to bite when asked about the future of Mackenzie on Thursday, saying his full focus was on preparing for next weeks elimination final against the Bulldogs in Perth.And he said it would be better if rival clubs held back on talking about players from teams in finals mode.Im sure Essendon would take the conversation back if they could, Simpson said.Its OK if youre out of the finalss, but to talk about other clubs who have got players playing finals footy - I think we need to hold back on that. Bart Starr Youth Jersey. I suppose thats one of the drawbacks of having a bye. Theres all this trade talk happening this week because theres a bit more time.I think we need to respect the fact theres teams still playing in the finals and individuals still fighting for spots.Of more immediate concern to Simpson is the fitness of ruckman Scott Lycett, who has been battling a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee since round 10.The problem has flared in recent weeks after Lycett copped heavy knocks in wins against Hawthorn and Adelaide.The 23-year-old underwent scans on Tuesday, but Simpson is confident hell be fit to take on the Bulldogs.However, Simpson said another big knock to the area could put Lycett out of action.I dont think any long-term damage is the risk - its more getting through a game, Simpson said.Last weeks superb performance of fringe ruckman Jonathan Giles means West Coast will have the luxury of giving Lycett more time up forward. 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