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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.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Todd Frazier Makes The Most Of His Second Chance







Todd Frazier got a second chance and made the most of it.

Chris Heisey scored from first base on Frazier's double into the left-field corner as the Cincinnati Reds came from behind for a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in 10 innings on Sunday, erasing the frustration of three missed scoring opportunities.

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Frazier's soft line drive resulted in an inning ending double play that squelched a promising sixth inning rally.

"Fortunately, I got another chance," said Frazier after showing the frustration of wasting a bases loaded situation against Kyle Lohse. "The best thing about baseball is you get another chance tomorrow. This time I only wanted three innings."

Heisey drew a two-out, four-pitch walk from Tyler Thornburgh (3-1), and Frazier followed with a line drive that one-hopped the wall. Heisey beat shortstop Jean Segura's off-target relay to the plate to give the Reds three wins in their four-game series against the team that has the majors'  best record at 21-11.

"Heisey grinded out a walk and then had to bust it," Cincinnati manager Bryan Price said. "They played the ball perfectly. Steve Smith (thirdbase coach) made the right call to send him."

Smith had been taking criticism for having runners thrown out at home several times this season.

"I'm not known for my eagle eye at the plate. The key is not to get caught up in the moment and swing at bad pitches" said Heisey, who was a last-minute replacement in the lineup when Jay Bruce was scratched with a sore left knee. "Anytime the ball is down the line or in the gap, I'm thinking of scoring."

 Brandon Phillips greeted reliever Brandon Kintzler with a game-tying 425-foot blast to center with one out in the eighth inning. The homer was Phillips' second of the season and first since April 5.

Sam LeCure (1-1) pitched the 10th for the win.

Brewers starter Kyle Lohse allowed a season-high eight hits, including Brayan Pena's home run, but the right-hander still managed keep the Reds at bay. Lohse lasted 6 1-3 innings, giving up two runs with one walk and two strikeouts.

"It was a weird outing for me," Lohse said. "They did a good job mixing it up. At first, they were super aggressive. I tried to use that, and they starting taking. They made me work for the outs that I got."

Cincinnati starter Alfredo Simon, who hadn't allowed more than two runs in any of his first five starts, gave up three in seven innings, along with five hits and one walk with no strikeouts.

Before 32,953 fans _ the third straight crowd of at least 32,000 _ Scooter Gennett hit Simon's third pitch of the game 357 feet into the right-field seats for his second homer of the season, giving Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. The Brewers made it 2-0 in the third on Carlos Gomez's one-out double to the warning track in left-center and Jonathan Lucroy's two-out single.

Pena hit the first pitch of the third inning 456 feet over the right field wall for his third homer of the season, all in the last five days. He left the game for a pinch runner with a tight hamstring in the seventh.

Khris Davis restored the two-run lead with a solo homer to right in the fourth, his fourth of the season.

The Reds again made it a one-run game in the fourth on Frazier's sacrifice fly after Phillips led off with a  double _ his fourth hit in five at-bats since getting Friday off _ and advanced to third on Heisey's groundout.

The Brewers had been a perfect 4-0 in extra inning games and a perfect 4-0 in one-run games as well as taking big early lead in the Central Division.

"Eventually, it's not going to be early. It is still early but if we get to June 1 and I say it's early you guys should kick me," said Price, who's team improved to 15-16. "We need to send a message that we're in this thing and we have to prove it to ourselves.  Being around .500 isn't what we're all about."

NOTES: Davis has 15 home runs in his brief two-year career, with five of them against the Reds. ... RF Jay Bruce was scratched from Cincinnati's original starting lineup with left knee soreness. Heisey replaced Bruce in right field and the fourth spot in the batting order. ... Manager Bryan Price expects LHP Aroldis Chapman to be activated for the Reds' homestand that is scheduled to start next Friday. The projected closer is due to take Sunday and Monday off before starting and pitching an inning for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, followed by an inning of relief on Wednesday. Chapman is coming back from surgery to repair injuries to his left eye suffered when he was struck by a line drive during a spring training game on March 19.

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