The Reds Streak Stopped at Seven by Snakes

The Arizona Diamondbacks managed just three runs in three games in it's weekend stay in Chicago but the first four Diamondback hitters scored in the first off Bronson Arroyo.  Wade Miley (10-5) and the Arizona bullpen made them stand up for a streak-breaking 5-3 win over the Reds.

Arroyo's first start of the second half was a dismal one.

Stephen Drew, Willie Bloomquist and Aaron Hill singled to load the bases.  Miguel Montero, batting fourth for the slumping Justin Upton unloaded them with a double.  Demoted from the cleanup spot to relieve the pressure that Upton had been under in the cleanup spot, the highest paid Arizona player singled home Montero for what ended up as the winning run.

"It's hard to pinpoint why you feel strong one time and not strong another time but even if the first five guys hadn't got hits, I doubt I would have gone deep in the game," Arroyo said.  "It's not fun to go out there and struggle to get to 84 and 85 but you do what you have to do."

Montero's double was hit hard but the first three singles just found holes.

"They didn't hit the ball that hard off Bronson but he wasn't sharp.  They found holes.  We didn't want to go to the bullpen that early because we have Johnny (Cueto) tomorrow recovering from a blister.  Simon gave us three big innings."

Alfredo Simon threw three scoreless innings which may be little noted, nor long remembered but he gave the Reds a chance to come back.  It was a chance of which they didn't take advantage.

The Reds mounted a brief comeback, however, Miley wasn't sharp early either.  Drew Stubbs singled to leadoff but Zack Cozart hit into a double play.  Todd Frazier, who started at first base supposedly to give Joey Votto a one day rest doubled.  Brandon Phillips doubled to score Frazier.

News surfaced that an MRI revealed a torn meniscus in Votto's left knee.  He will have arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage and will have to sit out three to four weeks.  Frazier and Miguel Cairo will take over until Votto returns.

Cairo filled in during the Reds Central Division Championship in 2010 when Votto missed time.

"Miguel is a veteran," Jay Bruce said.  "He understands the situation. Frazier has been doing well.We have no choice.  Just look what the Dodgers did with Matt Kemp out.  They weathered the storm and we're easily as capable. Once we get through it we'll realize how much stronger we are when we get Joey back."

Frazier is also ready to step up.

"I've been playing all over the last couple years," Frazier said.  "We have a good corp of guys who can step it up, including myself."

The Reds fought against the storm the Diamondbacks threw against them in the second inning.

With one out Chris Heisey and Ryan Hanigan singled.  Arroyo bunted them over.  Stubbs drilled a two-out single to score both men and cut the lead to 4-3.

Arroyo, however, allowed a home run to Montero.

Both bullpens took over from there and the 5-3 margin stood over the last six innings with J.J. Putz earning his 17th save.




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