His strike zone was consistent. Both starting pitchers were forced to center the ball in the middle of the plate. It was bound to be a hitter's night.
The feud between Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker and Lowe was a non-factor. For now at least the bean ball war that developed last week has been forgotten.
Joey Votto, who was one of the catalyst of the feud, hit his 13th home run in the first inning. Lowe hit Votto in the back two years ago and Baker did not forgive Lowe and had him "buzzed" Wednesday night.
How hot is Votto?
The Reds' superstar leads Major League Baseball with a .368 batting average, a .491 on-base-percentage and is second to former Red, Josh Hamilton, with a .667 slugging percentage, just .007 off the pace. Votto also hit his MLB leading 29th double. Votto is on a pace for 71 doubles. Not only would that shatter the Reds' record of 51 set by Frank Robinson in 1962 and matched by Pete Rose in 1978, it would surpass the MLB record of 67 set by Earl Webb in 1931.
Shin-Soo Choo matched it with a leadoff home run off Reds' starter Mat Latos. It was Choo's sixth of the season and the seventh lifetime against the Reds over 22 games.
The Reds continued to swing the bats better. Cincinnati banged out 14 hits. Scott Rolen, who returned from the Disabled List after an absence of 35 games, had two singles and two RBI. Votto had two hits, Brandon Phillips had three, Jay Bruce had three, including his team leading 16th home run. Ryan Ludwick hit two doubles. Ryan Hanigan hit two singles.
The Reds added two runs in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead off Lowe.
Cleveland responded with three runs in the second with Lonnie Chisenhall providing the big blow with a two-run home run off Latos, his third.
The Reds took the lead back in the third inning with two runs. Ludwick doubled home a run and Hanigan delivered a run that put the Reds on top, 5-3 in the third.
Latos, who has won five straight decisions, gave the lead back. Michael Brantley doubled to lead off. Casey Kotchman hit his sixth home run. Chisenhall tripled and scored on Choo's double.
The Reds evened the score again the next inning with a pair of runs. Votto doubled and Phillips doubled too but the ball went through the legs of Johnny Damon as Phillips circled the bases. The game was tied at seven runs.
Neither Latos nor Lowe were around to get a decision.
Sam LeCure gave up two in the bottom of the sixth. Carlos Santana singled. Damon doubled. Kotchman got a run home with a ground out. Chisenhall singled Damon home.
Bruce homered with two outs in the seventh off Joe Smith. The Indians got it back on Michael Brantley's sacrifice fly.
The Reds saw Indian closer, Chris Perez, for the first time this season. Perez got two quick outs but Phillips singled and advanced on the second on defensive indifference. Bruce knocked in his second run of the game with single but Ludwick struck out looking.
It cost the Reds a half-game in the standings. Pittsburgh was idle.
It was that kind of night.
The Reds, with the luxury of designated hitter, were able to get Rolen in the lineup at third base. Todd Frazier, who has excelled while Rolen was out, filled the DH role.
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| Professionally edited by ML Schirmer for proofreading services Call 513-240-3120 |
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