Jay Bruce Double Helps Break Reds Six Game Losing Streak 6-3 Over Phillies

Jay Bruce had a frustrating night but he persevered with a bases loaded double that snapped the Reds six-game losing streak.

Bruce struck out three times and popped up but came into the game with a five-game hitting streak in which he had two games with two hits and two with three (.611).

Bruce struck out with runners on second and third with one out in the fifth.

By Jerry Dowling

Johnny Cueto allowed three runs in six innings and the Reds bullpen, Bill Bray, Logan Ondrusek and Francisco Cordero, who earned his ninth save in 10 attempts with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.  It was the closer's 299th career save.

The Reds normalized its lineup, putting Scott Rolen back in the fourth slot and returning Brandon Phillips back to the number two hole.   The pair drove in three runs between them.  Rolen with a two-out single that followed a double by Joey Votto.  Prior to Bruce's fifth inning whiff, Phillips soft fly to right field tied the game as it fell in front of Dominic Brown.

The inning started with a walk to Cueto and Drew Stubbs followed that with a double.

With one out in the ninth inning Stubbs laid down a bunt against the Phillies temporary closer, Ryan Madson.  Madson compounded the problem by throwing the ball away.  Stubbs was in scoring position.  Phillips was frustrated by a line drive right to Jimmy Rollins at shortstop.   The Phillies walked Votto. Placido Polanco made a nice stop on a hard shot by Rolen that looked like a double but ended up an infield single. Bruce hit a 1-1 pitch to the base of the wall in right center and all three runners came home.