Reds seeing increased second-half productivity

PITTSBURGH — Since the Reds traded right fielder Jay Bruce to the Mets on Aug. 1, they have actually weathered the loss of one of their biggest run producers quite well. Cincinnati had its best month in runs scored, team batting, on-base percentage and slugging while playing two games under .500 for the month, at 13-15.

This month, the Reds are actually hitting better than last month, entering Friday with a .282 batting average compared to .276 in August and getting on base more (.362 OBP, up from .338). But they sure aren’t driving anyone in. They entered with 21 runs scored over seven games (with nine runs in one game vs. the Cardinals on Sept. 3), including nine over a five-game losing streak while hitting one home run.

Although Bruce’s production has nosedived in New York since the trade, has his departure finally caught up to the Reds? He had 25 homers and 80 RBIs this season for them, but Reds manager Bryan Price didn’t believe he left a void.

“There is no doubt we miss …

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