I don't know what the answer is, but you just can't have two guys batting 4th and 5th in the lineup that can't produce (at least when it counts).

Maybe moving Ramirez to 4th, Gomes to 5th, and Chisenhall to 6th might work out better. Zimmer to 7th. Move Santana to 8th and Encarnacion to 9th.

Gotta get Encarnacion out of the 4th or 5th spots in the lineup. Gotta try something different. Encarnacion's been a rally killer.

Santana hasn't fared much better.

If they prove they can hit out of 8th and 9th spots, you can always move them back up.

I don't know for sure, but I'll have to check some other teams and see how many of their 4th and 5th hitters are hitting 208 and 216 at this point in the season. I believe in patience but this is dragging out too long without some changes being made.

I think we'll let Tito set the lineup.

Interesting choice among Tomlin [marginal stuff, sometimes he can work it to his success, always at risk of long balls]; Salazar [terrific stuff, seems to have real problem with confidence, as well as command; needs constant bucking up];
Bauer [about a dozen decent pitches, but a lot can go wrong, sure doesn't lack in confidence in himself]

On pure talent, obviously the latter two are starters and Tomlin is a 6th starter/long reliever. But on ability to harness it, I guess he stays in the rotation as No. 5 with the other two squaring off for No. 4 with return insight when the next guy goes down. I suppose Salazar's hard stuff would work better in the bullpen, but his command problems would not work well as a short man. Tito chooses. I watch.

Tonight's lineups:

INDIANS

2B Jason Kipnis.

SS Francisco Lindor.

LF Michael Brantley.

RF Carlos Santana.

1B Edwin Encarnacion.

3B Jose Ramirez.

C Yan Gomes.

CF Daniel Robertson.

RHP Carlos Carrasco, 4-2, 2.60.

REDS

CF Billy Hamilton.

SS Zack Cozart.

1B Joey Votto.

LF Adam Duvall.

RF Scott Schebler.

C Devin Mesoraco.

3B Scooter Gannett.

2B Jose Peraza.

LHP Amir Garrett, 3-3, 5.18.

UMPIRES

H Clint Fagan.

1B Jeff Kellogg.

2B Tim Timmons.

3B Will Little.

Pre game....Announcers said the batters had trouble with the glare off the black surface in center field the first three innings

Pre game yesterday, they said no left handers this series. The only had one lefter on the staff. Where did this guy come from?

That's how it's done Carlos.......Ed

Cookie hasn't got it tonight

Could have been worse, but how long will Carrasco last?
And can we please get some RUNS?

You asked for 'em you got 'em. Tie ball game!

Upper deck shot by EE!

This time the monster shot stayed fair!

Yan Bomb!!

Add another one!

And off a lefty. Who was that guy who said we would never win against lefties?

That Yan Bomb was a fastball right over the middle of the plate. Pitcher didn't enter Yan Happy Zone but can't leave it there either.

This lefty throws hard. It's soft tossing lefties we can't hit.