T he Cincinnati Reds fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks by a 5-4 final on Thursday afternoon ( box score ), extending their majors-worst losing streak to eight in a row. The Reds, now 16-21 on the season, are only a half-game out of last place in the National League Central.

As it happened, Reds baserunner Stuart Fairchild was among those not watching closely. Having broken from first on a steal attempt — and unaware the pitch he ran on had been hit in the air to center field – Fairchild slid headfirst into second and briefly paused to look around.