The Cleveland Indians fell to the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on Tuesday night, giving up all seven runs in the final inning of play.

The issue in the top of the ninth for the Indians can be directed back, nearly entirely, to pitching. But it’s not because manager Terry Francona left reliever Cody Allen in the game too long — well, maybe he did. Allen threw only 19 strikes in 31 pitches and gave up three runs.

The problem was that Francona stumbled when making the call to the bullpen.

Yes, seriously.

With two outs, Francona finally made the call to finally replace Allen and hopefully get out of the inning. Soon after he got pitching coach Carl Willis on the phone, pitcher Dan Otero came running to the mound.

Up comes Reds star Joey Votto — who then hit a three-run RBI double off Otero right on cue to put them up by two. Eugenio Suarez hit Votto in just two batters later, too, giving the Reds the three-run lead and eventually the win.

So why did Otero get the nod? Well, apparently he didn’t.

According to The Athletic’s Zach Meisel, Francona told Willis to call down for “OP” on the bullpen phone, meaning Oliver Perez. Willis, though, heard OT, and made the call for Otero to enter the game.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

Chris Sale's 109th pitch was 98 mph. His 110th was 97. Dude's a freak.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

Brent Suter, tommy-John. Ouch.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

It sounds like the Yanks are getting Britton. Chapman-Britton-Betances. Good luck

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

Meanwhile the Pirates can't be beat.

The Yanks get Lance Lynn from the Twins for that fuckin dickhead Tyler Austin.

Lynn has been pretty good lately. This isn’t the rich getting richer it’s the richer getting richest.

They still aint better than the Astros.

They still aint better than the Astros.

Laurence Holmes is a fucking weirdo, a nerd in denial, and a wannabe. Not a very good radio host either.

They still aint better than the Astros.

Laurence Holmes is a fucking weirdo, a nerd in denial, and a wannabe. Not a very good radio host either.

Chris Sale's 109th pitch was 98 mph. His 110th was 97. Dude's a freak.

Sale been real goo until right now.

Bully Hendry would have signed Harper for 2.5 Billion over 30 years

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Just saw one of the stupidest things ever in a major league game. Cardinals at bat with a runner on first and 2 outs. Rockies pitcher strikes out Cardinal batter but it is a drop third strike right in front of the catcher. The batter takes off for 1st and the runner at 1st takes off for 2nd. Instead of just throwing the ball to first for the easy third out of the inning the catcher flings the ball to 2nd base and there is no one even close to the base and the ball goes into center field. The Cardinals could not make the pay for such a stupid error...but still one the dumbest plays I have ever seen.

That is probably reflexive or he forgot how many outs.