Reds Go 22 Games Over 500 As Ryan Ludwick Batters His Former Mates

Kip Wells last pitched in the major league on October 1, 2009.  The Reds released him after spring training in 2010.  It has taken two years for Wells to make it back to the show.

San Diego's injury riddled pitching staff prompted them to enlist Wells on May 7, signing him to a minor league contract.  He got the call from Tucson on June 26.

The Reds have beaten the former Pirate pitcher 11 times in his career (tied with Houston).

Chase Headley, who battled Aroldis Chapman with a 10-pitch at bat before striking out to end the game, hit a towering home run off Bronson Arroyo with a mate aboard to start the game.

The Reds went to work on Wells in the bottom of the inning.

Zack Cozart hit the second pitch of the game into the seats in left. He also homered off Wells leading off the game in San Diego on July 6.

Drew Stubbs walked but was caught stealing second. After Jay Bruce struck out, Scott Rolen walked to bring the red hot Ryan Ludwick to the plate.  Ludwick hit a towering home run of his own to left adding to his gaudy numbers.

Ludwick was with San Diego for a year and a half.  The spacious Petco Park got into his head.

"Since day one I've told the media, general managers and other baseball people, when I went to San Diego I lost my swing.  I forgot how to hit the other way."

Ludwick struggled for two months with his batting average but was still driving in runs at a very respectable rate.  He's gone beyond that. The home run off Wells was his 19th, two shy of Bruce's team lead.  Since Joey Votto went down with an injury, Ludwick has driven in 19 runs.  He has a hit in each of his last six games with at least one RBI in his last five, including four home runs.

"With Joey out, it's been different people at different times," said Ludwick, the former Padre who's hitting .388 (19-for-49) with six home runs and 20 runs batted in since the All-Stsr first baseman left the lineup on July 16. "Phillips, myself, Zack Cozart, the pitching _ everybody's pitching in. Now, with Phillips out, it's even more important for everybody to pitch in."

The Reds are now a season-high 22 games over .500

 "He's been an RBI man most of his career," Dusty Baker said. "This is the first time in the last couple of years where he wasn't traded at the deadline. He's doing everything in his power to try to find a home."

San Diego took the lead back off Arroyo in the fourth.  With two outs and the bases empty, Wells singled to lead a parade of hits as Alexi Amarista, Will Venable and Headley followed suite to score two runs.

The Reds were silent for three innings  Wells retired eight of 10, although he walked two, until Ryan Hanigan singled with two"This is a good team here," said Broxton, who arrived at the ballpark shortly before the first pitch and showed no signs of rust despite not having pitched since July 24. "I'm happy to be a part of it. Going from last place to first is a big jump."