Jay Bruce Spoils Strategy Belts Game Winner in 5-3 Win Over San Diego

Bud Black had two choices and both were lousy.  Do you pitch to reigning NL MVP Joey Votto or streaky Jay Bruce.  Black chose Bruce.

"That's what I would have done," Bruce was thinking in the on deck circle.

He had three relievers that have pitched in four of the last five games.  Heath Bell, Luke Gregerson and Chad Qualls weren't available.  Black, the reigning Manager of the Year, chose 23-year old. Australian born, lefthander, Josh Spence.

Spence only had 25 games of big league experience but has been effective in his 21 1/3 innings.  Left handed hitters were hitting just .119 against Spence.
"It was pick your poison.  We could set up the force by walking Votto.  Both are good hitters.  Votto is a great hitter.  We chose to pitch to Bruce," Black said.

The irony is that Dusty Baker avoided putting Votto and Bruce back-to-back in the lineup but this time it worked out for him.  Scott Rolen, who usually bats fourth is on the DL.  Second choice, Brandon Phillips, has a sore elbow from being hit by a pitch on Tuesday.  He is limited to pinch running.

"I've been in that situation many times," Baker said.  "It's a one run game.  If Votto hits a home run you're still down a run plus you set up the force."

Bronson Arroyo and San Diego starter Matt Latos locked up in a pitchers duel.

Arroyo was pitching with a sore achillies heal from covering first base on a ball hit to Votto by Jason Bartlett.
"I was past the bag," Arroyo said.  "I had to reach back for it.  That's how I strained it.  It bothered me some but I felt comfortable enough to finish."

The fact that Bronson allowed just two runs in six innings with a bad heal was not a shock to Baker.

'Bronson's a warrior.  You have to drag him off the mound," Baker said.

Latos was just as good, allowing just four hits in seven innings. Unfortunately, for him the hits weren't scattered enough.

Paul Janish doubled to open the fourth for the Reds first hit of the game.  Bruce followed one out later with a double down the first base line.  The streaky Bruce has come to life the last five games.  Bruce is 8-for-18 with four home runs and 10 RBI in his last five games, including the game winner.

Miguel Cairo tripled in the seventh and Drew Stubbs singled him home.

The Padres took a 2-0 lead by scoring an unearned run in the first set up by Arroyo's error on the play he hurt his heal.  Orlando Hudson hit an RBI single to get Bartlett home.  Nick Hundley, who was reinstated from the disabled list hit a solo home run in the second.  He also singled and doubled in his return.

It was the 32nd home run allowed by Arroyo, who leads the majors in home runs allowed.  He is close to setting the Reds team record set by Eric Milton at 40 in 2005.

The Padres regained the lead in the top of the eighth against Sam LeCure.

Hudson walked.  Blake Tekotte buntehd him to second.  Baker made the decision to walk Hundley to pitch to young Logan Forsythe, hitting .191 in just 89 at bats.

"We made the choice to walk Hundley, who had three hits and face the kid," Baker said.  "We got two strikes on him but he ends up getting the big hit.  Our strategy didn't work and their strategy didn't work."

Black brought Spence in knowing Baker had Yonder Alonso to pinch hit for the pitcher.  Lefthanded batting Fred Lewis was in the leadoff spot.  Janish was due. Then Votto would bat if someone reached base.

Spence got Dave Sappelt on a fly to left but walked Ramon Hernandez batting for Lewis.  Edgar Renteria hit for Janish.  Renteria hit a slow ground ball that put Hernandez on second.  Votto was next and the managerial wheels began to turn.  This time in the Reds favor.