Nobody should have expected Aroldis Chapman to go the entire season without allowing an earned run, and manager Dusty Baker doesn't think a combined three in his last two outings should be cause for concern.
Chapman, promoted to closer in May, allowed a run in 1.2 innings Friday against Detroit to earn his first blown save of the season. The Reds salvaged that game, but he gave up two in the eighth on Sunday while the Tigers were scoring four to come from behind for a 7-6 win.
"Sometimes, it happens," Baker said of Chapman's implosion. "I don't care how good you are. He spoiled us by being so good, and he will be great again."
Catcher Devin Mesoraco didn't see anything different physically from the Cuban left-hander, who routinely reaches triple figures with his fastball.
"He's human," Mesoraco said. "He's not going to strike everybody out. He's going to have bad times, just like everybody else."
The Cuban left-hander, who usually needs an interpreter when being interviewed, left the clubhouse before the media was allowed to enter.
NOTES, QUOTES
Votto's hitting streak snapped at career-high 15
--1B Joey Votto set a career high by extending his hitting streak to 15 games with his league-leading 26th double Saturday in Cincinnati's 3-2 loss to Detroit. Votto went into the game hitting .563 (27-for-48) over his previous 13 appearances, the best by a Red over any 13-game stretch since Gordy Coleman hit .571 in May 1965, according to Elias Sports Bureau. "I've felt really good lately," said Votto, who went 0-for-4 Sunday to snap the streak. "A lot of things that weren't going right earlier in the season I've been able to clear up." Votto's streak was snapped with an 0-for-4 outing Sunday.
--LHP Bill Bray allowed a walk and had a strikeout in one inning of relief Saturday in the first appearance of a rehab assignment with Single-A Dayton. Bray, out since April 24 with a groin injury, was scheduled to pitch another inning for the Dragons Monday.
--Saturday's crowd of 42,443 is the largest non-Opening Day, regular-season crowd in the 10-year history of Great American Ball Park. The sellout was the Reds' fifth of the season. They had a ballpark-record 11 last season.
--Sunday's 7-6 loss to Detroit was Cincinnati's second straight on Sunday after the Reds had won their first eight. They've now lost consecutive series after going 9-3-3 in their first 15.
--C Devin Mesoraco snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a homer and single on Sunday. Mesoraco was 0-for-13 going into the game and was called out in the second inning on a rare batter's-interference decision.
BY THE NUMBERS: 56 -- Consecutive games at Great American Ball Park with at least one home run after Zach Cozart's third-inning leadoff shot on Sunday. It was the longest active ballpark streak in the majors and the longest since the ballpark opened in 2003.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I would have rather have one RBI and get the win, but we're still in first place. Tied or not, we're still the leaders." -- 3B Todd Frazier, after setting a career high with four runs batted in during Cincinnati's 7-6 loss on Sunday to Detroit, which dropped the Reds into a tie with Pittsburgh for first place in the National League Central Division.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--LHP Bill Bray (strained left groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Louisville on April 29, but he moved back to extended spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., after one outing. He resumed throwing May 28, and he threw a bullpen session June 1. He pitched one inning of relief June 9 in the first appearance of a rehab assignment with Single-A Dayton. Brady is scheduled to pitch another inning for the Dragons June 11.
--CF Drew Stubbs (strained oblique) was injured swinging at a pitch June 5, and he didn't play June 6-8. He increased his workout activity June 8 and remains day-to-day as of June 10.
--RHP Nick Masset (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He threw on flat ground May 24 for the first time and now is throwing 120 feet. There is no timetable for his return.
--3B Scott Rolen (strained left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 12. On June 6, he took batting practice on the field for the first time since he was injured. There is no timetable for his return.
--RHP Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list April 4. He is out for the season.
