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I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Out Goes Frazier Todd Frazier Flies One to the Moon in Reds 5th Straight Win.

The Frank Sinatra tune, "Fly Me to the Moon" was still echoing off the hills in Kentucky when Todd Frazier set off the double fireworks for a home run and a 2-1 win.

The Reds Bronson Arroyo and Braves Tommy Hanson dueled in the twilight for six innings prior to the game winning blast, all be it a modest 355 ft., flight to the first row just beyond the reach of Jason Heyward.

Dan Uggla hit a long legitimate home run off Arroyo, who was grateful that Brian McCann was sick and Chipper Jones has a golf ball sized contusion on his left ankle.

"Not having Chipper and McCann in the lineup gave me a little breathing room," Arroyo said.  "The defense we've been playing is huge.  Every day we make a play that may not make the highlight reels but keep us in the game."

Tonight it was Brandon Phillips that knocked down a bid for an RBI single by Michael Bourn after the Braves, who have had problems scoring runs lately made a bid to take the lead.  Arroyo got David Ross to fly out, then struck out Juan Francisco but rookie Tyler Pastornicky doubled down the leftfield line.

Atlanta manager, Freddie Gonzalez went to Chipper Jones to hit for Hanson, who escaped a bases loaded one out jam in the sixth by getting Jay Bruce to hit into a force play that tied the game.. Jones is making his final tour of the league but has a huge debilitating bruise on his left ankle.  Jones has a form fitting guard over the spot.  The fear is if he fouls a pitch off the ankle he would be disabled.

"Tommy did a great job of minimizing the damage," Gonzalez said.  "We were going to run him back out there but with a runner in scoring position, you have to take a shot."

Jose Arredondo walked Jones but Phillips stopped Bourns hard grounder, lost the ball and stumbled but managed to get an off balance flip to Zack Cozart to nip pinch runner, Tim Hudson.

The Reds threatened again in the eighth against Johnny Venters.  Chris Heisey singled to center.  He moved up on a wild pitch.  Joey Votto smashed one off Venters between his calf and knee.  He threw out Votto for the first out.  The Braves walked Brandon Phillips, who hit two home runs Tuesday night to face Bruce, who is two for his last 26.  They replaced lefty Venters with lefty Eric O'Flaherty.

"Leaving Venters in to get Bruce after he got smoked was too much to ask," Gonzalez said.

O'Flaherty induced a double play ground ball out of Bruce.

Aroldis Chapman fanned two as he continued his string of 24 1/3 innings in which he has given up one unearned run.  He has struckout at least one batter in his last 25 appearances and all 20 this year.  He has racked up 43 strikeouts and picked up his fourth win.

Christhian Martinez struck out pinch hitter Mike Costanzo on a strikeout.

Frazier hit a 1-0 cut fastball for his fourth home run and first walk off long ball.

"It was special the way I've been going lately," Frazier said of his lack of production the last few games.  He took Tuesday night off and worked with hitting coach, Brook Jacoby on keeping more weight on his back foot.

"We watched some tape yesterday.  I can't say it was why I hit the home run tonight.  I knew I got  a lot of it but didn't think I got it all," Frazier said.

Honestly the ball would have been an easy out in Turner Field but landed in the front row of the bleachers at Great American Ball Park.

"It was one of those things," Gonzalez said.  "It wouldn't have been a lazy fly ball out at Turner Field but it probably would have been an out.  It's like we talked about this afternoon, they don't move the fences back when we're up."






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