The Reds released an update about their hospitalized manager. Dusty Baker is feeling better and plans to return to Cincinnati on Friday.
He is in a Chicago undergoing tests. Baker is experiencing irregular heartbeats.
According to the email from Reds' director of media relations, Rob Butcher, general manager, Walt Jocketty visited Baker this morning. Jocketty reported that Baker was feeling good but doctors wanted to monitor his progress one more day.
Bench coach Chris Speier will handle the team in Chicago this afternoon as the Reds attempt to reduce it's magic number for clinching the NL Central against the Cubs.
The Reds can not clinch in Chicago this afternoon because the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Houston Astros in St. Louis last night. A win today can guarantee the Reds at least a wild card spot. They are also just 1/2 game behind the Washington Nationals for the top playoff seed and the best record in baseball.
The Reds are a season-high 31 games over .500.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- 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.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Dusty Baker Hospitalized Reds Cut Magic Number
Dusty Baker was ordered to rest after being examined by the Chicago Cubs team doctors.
Baker, whose team defeated the Chicago Cubs in 11 innings by a 6-5 score, was having trouble breathing. He will not manage the Reds in the final game of the series in Chicago. Bench Coach Chris Speier will handle the team.
Baker has a history of irregular heartbeats. He will remain in the hospital overnight and more tests will be run on Thursday.
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Baker, whose team defeated the Chicago Cubs in 11 innings by a 6-5 score, was having trouble breathing. He will not manage the Reds in the final game of the series in Chicago. Bench Coach Chris Speier will handle the team.
Baker has a history of irregular heartbeats. He will remain in the hospital overnight and more tests will be run on Thursday.
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Time To Clinch Near For Cincinnati Order the Champagne
The Reds have three games with the Cubs while the St. Louis Cardinals have three games at home with the Houston Astros.
With the Reds' magic number at five, meaning any combination of Reds' wins and Cardinal losses that add to five, give the Reds the National League Central Division title.
That magic number can be reached as early as Thursday around 4pm Eastern time. If the Reds win the first two games against the Cubs and the Astros find a way to sweep the Cardinals in Busch Stadium, the Reds could celebrate on the way home from Chicago. Winning three by the Reds would also finish off the Pirates and Brewers, both of whom are barely breathing with a tragic number of three.
Most likely the Reds will clinch some time this weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are battling the Cardinals for a wild card playoff spot.
While the Reds have a three game weekend series against the Dodgers followed by three games at home against Milwaukee, St. Louis has nine games in nine days against the Cubs and Astros, including the three-game set with Houston, the next three days. The Cardinals go on the road to play Chicago for three and Houston for three before they come back home to play three with the Washington Nationals, owners of the best record in baseball.
The Reds close the season with three games in Pittsburgh and three in St. Louis but by then it should just be tune up time for the playoffs.
Thinking ahead the Reds' magic number to finish ahead of the San Francisco Giants is 11. Finishing with the second best record will earn the Reds home field advantage in the Divisional Series the best-of-five first round of the playoffs.
The Reds have a shot at the first seed in the playoffs by finishing ahead of the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have 16 games left with a 89-57 record. The Reds have 15 left with a 88-59 mark. The most the Reds could possibly win is 103 games. With 15 wins the Nationals can win 104, making the magic number for the first round seed 15. On the other hand the Reds' have a magic number of 18 for taking over the top seed from Washington. For example if the Reds go 10-5 and Washington goes 8-8 the Reds take the top seed.
On the negative side, in the very unlikely event of a Reds' collapse, they have a magic number of four to at least clinch a wild card spot over the Dodgers, who are followed by Milwaukee and Pittsburgh in the wild card race.
With the Reds' magic number at five, meaning any combination of Reds' wins and Cardinal losses that add to five, give the Reds the National League Central Division title.
That magic number can be reached as early as Thursday around 4pm Eastern time. If the Reds win the first two games against the Cubs and the Astros find a way to sweep the Cardinals in Busch Stadium, the Reds could celebrate on the way home from Chicago. Winning three by the Reds would also finish off the Pirates and Brewers, both of whom are barely breathing with a tragic number of three.
Most likely the Reds will clinch some time this weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are battling the Cardinals for a wild card playoff spot.
While the Reds have a three game weekend series against the Dodgers followed by three games at home against Milwaukee, St. Louis has nine games in nine days against the Cubs and Astros, including the three-game set with Houston, the next three days. The Cardinals go on the road to play Chicago for three and Houston for three before they come back home to play three with the Washington Nationals, owners of the best record in baseball.
The Reds close the season with three games in Pittsburgh and three in St. Louis but by then it should just be tune up time for the playoffs.
Thinking ahead the Reds' magic number to finish ahead of the San Francisco Giants is 11. Finishing with the second best record will earn the Reds home field advantage in the Divisional Series the best-of-five first round of the playoffs.
The Reds have a shot at the first seed in the playoffs by finishing ahead of the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have 16 games left with a 89-57 record. The Reds have 15 left with a 88-59 mark. The most the Reds could possibly win is 103 games. With 15 wins the Nationals can win 104, making the magic number for the first round seed 15. On the other hand the Reds' have a magic number of 18 for taking over the top seed from Washington. For example if the Reds go 10-5 and Washington goes 8-8 the Reds take the top seed.
On the negative side, in the very unlikely event of a Reds' collapse, they have a magic number of four to at least clinch a wild card spot over the Dodgers, who are followed by Milwaukee and Pittsburgh in the wild card race.
The "D" Men Shine For Cincinnati In Miami
Dioner Navarro and Didi Gregorius are both from the Southern Caribean. Navarro is from Caracas, Venezuela. Gregorius is from Wilamstad, Curacao. The two are 175 miles apart bascially the distance from Cincinnati to Canton
The "D" men were instrumental in the Reds' effort to salvage the third of a three game series in brand new Marlins Park against the nothing-to-lose Marlins.
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The Reds lost the first two games of the series and rested Wilson Valdez and Ryan Hanigan Sunday. Navarro and Gregorius combined for six hits in 11 at bats, each had an RBI, including the first Run Batted In for Gregorius career.
Ryan Ludwick drove in two runs including the game winner. He hit his first home run in nearly a month Saturday night in a losing effort.
The Reds scored a run in the second inning on a single by Gregorius to lead for the first time in the series.
Mat Latos, from nearby Coconut Creek High, failed to protect a 2-0 lead and was lucky the Marlins didn't pass the Reds. Jose Reyes reached on an infield hit in spite of an excellent stop by Gregorius. Navarro threw out Reyes by partially blocking a pitch in the dirt and recovering the ball in time to throw out Reyes. The out put Latos in great shape in the fourth inning. He had no one on base and two outs but that changed quickly.
Latos was cautious with Ginacarlo Stanton, walking the man second in the NL with 34 home runs. That is telling in this giant ball park Latos also walked Carlos Lee, who burned Johnny Cueto with a long two-run home run Saturday night that was the difference in the game. The free passes made the margin of error too small. Latos made a good pitch to Greg Dobbs, who also was a thorn in the Reds' side in the series. Dobbs broke his bat but the ball hit just inside the right field line and rolled to the rightfield corner for a triple, tying the score.
The Reds got two more on RBI singles by Ludwick and Navarro.
Lee lofted a ball to right, a bloop that Jay Bruce's diving effort was not enough to maintain control of the ball. Lee was on second with a leadoff double. He went to third on Dobbs' ground out. Lee then barely beat Chris Heisey's throw home on a fly to medium center hit by Donovan Solano. The Marlins tied the game in the eighth when Reyes nearly missed a home run on a blast high off the rightfield wall that scored former Reds' number one draft choice, Austin Kearns, who opened the inning with a pinch hit single.
The Reds had 13 hits but stranded 10 runners. The missed opportunities was responsible for the forced overtime. They missed a golden opportunity in the 10th against Heath Bell, one of nine pitchers manager Ozzie Guillen used in this roster expanded September game.
Gregorius hit his third single of the game with one out. Xavier Paul hit a pinch hit single that set the Reds up with a first and third with one out. Brandon Phillips, who has struggled since moving back to the leadoff spot, hit a one-hop ground ball back to Bell, who started a 1-6-3 double play.
The Reds' bullpen was again fantastic. Sam LeCure extracted the Reds from trouble in the eighth in relief of Latos. He turned in a clean ninth. Sean Marshall got two outs in the 10th then gave up a hit and a walk to Justin Ruggiano. Reyes singled again on a two-strike pitch bringing Stanton to the plate again with the game on the line. Dusty Baker called on Logan Ondrusek, who allowed nothing for his first 20 appearances of the season but ran out of gas mid-season. Ondrusek fanned Stanton on an outstanding sinker.
Chris Heisey, who was 0-5, singled on a 3-1 pitch off Carlos Zambrano, who lost his job in the Marlin's starting rotation. Zambrano had difficulty throwing strikes and it cost him. He walked Joey Votto, then fell behind Ludwick. Ludwick found a hole with a hard ground single to left.
Big Jonathan Broxton came out in the 11th for his second save attempt as a Red. He got the first two out, backed by defensive replacement, Drew Stubbs, in center. Solano worked a walk and brought up the eighth hitter in the lineup, John Buck, with no pinch hitters left on the Miami bench Buck was hitting .196 but had 10 home runs in 100 games. Broxton got ahead in the count but Buck battled. He worked the count full, fouled off two pay-off pitches. He hit a long fly to center. The deepest part of the park that has a wall that juts out just to the left of where the fly was hit. The fleet Stubbs was there in plenty of time and came up with a leaping catch against the wall to seal the win.
The Reds cut the magic number to five games over St. Louis, three over both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.
The "D" men were instrumental in the Reds' effort to salvage the third of a three game series in brand new Marlins Park against the nothing-to-lose Marlins.
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The Reds lost the first two games of the series and rested Wilson Valdez and Ryan Hanigan Sunday. Navarro and Gregorius combined for six hits in 11 at bats, each had an RBI, including the first Run Batted In for Gregorius career.
Ryan Ludwick drove in two runs including the game winner. He hit his first home run in nearly a month Saturday night in a losing effort.
The Reds scored a run in the second inning on a single by Gregorius to lead for the first time in the series.
Mat Latos, from nearby Coconut Creek High, failed to protect a 2-0 lead and was lucky the Marlins didn't pass the Reds. Jose Reyes reached on an infield hit in spite of an excellent stop by Gregorius. Navarro threw out Reyes by partially blocking a pitch in the dirt and recovering the ball in time to throw out Reyes. The out put Latos in great shape in the fourth inning. He had no one on base and two outs but that changed quickly.
Latos was cautious with Ginacarlo Stanton, walking the man second in the NL with 34 home runs. That is telling in this giant ball park Latos also walked Carlos Lee, who burned Johnny Cueto with a long two-run home run Saturday night that was the difference in the game. The free passes made the margin of error too small. Latos made a good pitch to Greg Dobbs, who also was a thorn in the Reds' side in the series. Dobbs broke his bat but the ball hit just inside the right field line and rolled to the rightfield corner for a triple, tying the score.
The Reds got two more on RBI singles by Ludwick and Navarro.
Lee lofted a ball to right, a bloop that Jay Bruce's diving effort was not enough to maintain control of the ball. Lee was on second with a leadoff double. He went to third on Dobbs' ground out. Lee then barely beat Chris Heisey's throw home on a fly to medium center hit by Donovan Solano. The Marlins tied the game in the eighth when Reyes nearly missed a home run on a blast high off the rightfield wall that scored former Reds' number one draft choice, Austin Kearns, who opened the inning with a pinch hit single.
The Reds had 13 hits but stranded 10 runners. The missed opportunities was responsible for the forced overtime. They missed a golden opportunity in the 10th against Heath Bell, one of nine pitchers manager Ozzie Guillen used in this roster expanded September game.
Gregorius hit his third single of the game with one out. Xavier Paul hit a pinch hit single that set the Reds up with a first and third with one out. Brandon Phillips, who has struggled since moving back to the leadoff spot, hit a one-hop ground ball back to Bell, who started a 1-6-3 double play.
The Reds' bullpen was again fantastic. Sam LeCure extracted the Reds from trouble in the eighth in relief of Latos. He turned in a clean ninth. Sean Marshall got two outs in the 10th then gave up a hit and a walk to Justin Ruggiano. Reyes singled again on a two-strike pitch bringing Stanton to the plate again with the game on the line. Dusty Baker called on Logan Ondrusek, who allowed nothing for his first 20 appearances of the season but ran out of gas mid-season. Ondrusek fanned Stanton on an outstanding sinker.
Chris Heisey, who was 0-5, singled on a 3-1 pitch off Carlos Zambrano, who lost his job in the Marlin's starting rotation. Zambrano had difficulty throwing strikes and it cost him. He walked Joey Votto, then fell behind Ludwick. Ludwick found a hole with a hard ground single to left.
Big Jonathan Broxton came out in the 11th for his second save attempt as a Red. He got the first two out, backed by defensive replacement, Drew Stubbs, in center. Solano worked a walk and brought up the eighth hitter in the lineup, John Buck, with no pinch hitters left on the Miami bench Buck was hitting .196 but had 10 home runs in 100 games. Broxton got ahead in the count but Buck battled. He worked the count full, fouled off two pay-off pitches. He hit a long fly to center. The deepest part of the park that has a wall that juts out just to the left of where the fly was hit. The fleet Stubbs was there in plenty of time and came up with a leaping catch against the wall to seal the win.
The Reds cut the magic number to five games over St. Louis, three over both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Reds Shutout in MIami But Get Closer to Crown
The Reds managed just three hits against 21-year old Jacob Turner as they were shutout for the third time this season, a NL low.
Turner was taken one pick after the Reds selected Mike Leake in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers. He and batterymate, Rob Brantly were obtained for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante on July 23.
The Marlins handed Bronson Arroyo his first loss in six starts. He had one no decision but was the winning pitcher in the other five.
Arroyo was touched for four runs while his teammates were shutdown. He pitched six innings, allowing nine hits.
The Marlins scored single runs in the third and fourth innings. They scored two in the fifth.
Miami benefited by an inning opening single by Brantly. Bryan Petersen singled. Brantly scored on a double by Justin Ruggiano. Greg Dobbs hit a home run in the fourth. Carlos Lee singled home a run in the fifth and another run scored on a late throw by Wilson Valdez when Lee was caught in a rundown.
The loss puts the Reds back to 29-games over .500 but their magic number was reduced to seven game when St. Louis dropped an 8-5 decision in Los Angeles. Pittsburgh lost its seventh straight to the Chicago Cubs to knock the magic number for elimination to five. Milwaukee's tragic number is four.
Turner was taken one pick after the Reds selected Mike Leake in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers. He and batterymate, Rob Brantly were obtained for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante on July 23.
The Marlins handed Bronson Arroyo his first loss in six starts. He had one no decision but was the winning pitcher in the other five.
Arroyo was touched for four runs while his teammates were shutdown. He pitched six innings, allowing nine hits.
The Marlins scored single runs in the third and fourth innings. They scored two in the fifth.
Miami benefited by an inning opening single by Brantly. Bryan Petersen singled. Brantly scored on a double by Justin Ruggiano. Greg Dobbs hit a home run in the fourth. Carlos Lee singled home a run in the fifth and another run scored on a late throw by Wilson Valdez when Lee was caught in a rundown.
The loss puts the Reds back to 29-games over .500 but their magic number was reduced to seven game when St. Louis dropped an 8-5 decision in Los Angeles. Pittsburgh lost its seventh straight to the Chicago Cubs to knock the magic number for elimination to five. Milwaukee's tragic number is four.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Homer Bailey Shines as Reds Close in on Central Division Title
Homer Bailey shook off his two-game losing streak against the Pirates and pitched like an ace in the Reds' 2-1 win over Pittsburgh.
That loss dropped the Cardinals to a whopping 11 full games behind the Reds and reduced the Reds' magic number for clinching the division to nine. Any combination of Reds' wins and Cardinal losses that add to nine gives the Reds the division title.
But first the Reds were trying to complete a sweep of their own. Pittsburgh is reeling from its season-high five game losing streak. The Pirates sent it's ace, A.J. Burnett and his 15-6 record to the mound against the Reds' Bailey with a 10-9 record.
Cincinnati scored first in front of 21,203 fans on a ground out by Wilson Valdez, subbing at shortstop for the injured Zack Cozart. Ryan Hanigan singled to start the frame. Bailey struck out but Brandon Phillips singled. A wild pitch moved the runners up so Hanigan was able to score.
Bailey, who has an ERA more than one run per game higher at home, pitched like an ace. He turned in his 19th quality start. That is second on the Reds' staff to Johnny Cueto's 20.
The Pirates scored just once off Bailey. Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez opened the fourth with three straight singles. Bailey bowed his neck and got out of the inning without another run scoring.
Bailey survived a one-out triple by Alex Presley in the sixth. With Clint Barmes batting, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle called a squeeze. Bailey threw the pitch so far outside that Barmes couldn't reach it. Hanigan scrambled to the plate just in time to tag Presley for a caught stealing to end the threat.
Ryan Ludwick doubled in the bottom half to start the inning. Jay Bruce flied to very deep center, the second time he had put McCutchen on the warning track. Ludwick raced to third. Scott Rolen, returning from a bad back and allowing Todd Frazier to get some time off, flied out to deep left to get Ludwick home.
The game was turned over to the respective bullpens. Bailey finished with seven innings of six-hit, one-run baseball. Burnett lasted six innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
Sam LeCure pitched a clean eighth inning.
Young J.J. Hoover was given the ball while Aroldis Chapman rests a tired shoulder. The rookie picked up from Atlanta in March for Juan Francisco, was attempting his first career save and trying to avoid making Bailey the victim of a team-high seventh blown save. He was born and raised in Pittsburgh.
Hoover allowed a two-out single by Barmes but struck out pinch hitter, Jose Tabata to earn his first save.
Hoover allowed a two-out single by Barmes but struck out pinch hitter, Jose Tabata to earn his first save.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Reds Shave The Magic Number Mike Leake and Brandon Phillips Star
Mike Leake has had his problems of late but pitched on of his better games to notch his eighth victory.
The righthander gave up a pair of home runs among his nine hits but aided by the glove work of his teammates pitched seven innings in the Reds' 5-3 win over the sinking Pirates.
Brandon Phillips, who had a heart-to-heart with Pittsburgh reliever Jared Hughes before the game, canceled Alex Presley's first inning home run off Leake with his own home run, a leadoff shot. The blast off Pittsburgh starter, Kevin Correia, was his 17th long ball of the season and first since moving back into the leadoff spot.
"When they scored, we really wanted to put some runs on the board," Phillips said. "I'm surprised it went out. I hit is hard but not high."
The Reds piled on in the second inning. Dioner Navarro walked. One out later Leake singled to start a 2-for-2 night at the plate with a sacrifice. He is now hitting .286 for the season. Phillips doubled to score Navarro. Leake scored on a wild pitch and when Correia threw home to get Leake the ball eluded catcher Michael McKenry and Phillips scored.
Leake guarded the lead with the help of two double plays and a perfectly executed cutoff play in the fifth inning. Clint Barmes doubled to leadoff the fifth. Correia popped up the attempt to sacrifice. Brock Holt singled to right. Jay Bruce charged and threw home as Barmes rounded third but held. Holt trying to force a cutoff, Joey Votto cut the throw and flipped it back to Phillips, who snuck in behind Holt. Phillips with his back to the runner tagged Holt between his legs.
"That was the game right there to tell you the truth," Phillips said. "That gave me a breather," Leake said.
The Reds have been playing winning defense all season and manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the defense and the base running.
"We played good defense and ran the bases well. That's what you have to do. It isn't hitting all the time that wins you games," Baker said. "We have been 29 games over before and that's good but we've tried to get to 30 over .500 five times and that would be even better."
Leake had been roughed up in his last two outings by the Philadelphia Phillies but rebounded against the Pirates, turning in his 16th quality start among the 28 games he's started.
"I try to do that every time out but the Phillies have my number," Leake said. "This felt good."
Leake has been the victim of three blown saves this season but the Reds' bullpen has been strong for the most part all season.
"You see my sign on the wall over there," Baker said. "The two most important things are good friends and a good bullpen and not necessarily in that order."
Leake allowed a pinch hit home run to Gabby Sanchez with a runner on and two outs in the seventh before leaving the game with seven innings of nine-hit, three-run baseball.
Logan Ondrusek, Sean Marshall and closer for the day, Jonathan Broxton, who earned his first for the Reds combined to get the last six outs.
Broxton is closing games temporarily to allow the fatigued left shoulder of Aroldis Chapman to rest.
"We knew we might have to use him to close sometimes when we got him (in a trade with Kansas City). We just didn't know it would be for this reason. We knew there would be times when we needed him in that role," Baker said.
Broxton took it in stride having closed games for Los Angeles and Kansas City during his career.
"All outs are important. The only difference in the ninth inning is you don't have anyone to back you up," Broxton said.
The win reduced the Reds' magic number to 11 and could drop to 10 if San Diego beats St. Louis on the west coast. The Pirates still are in the wild card race but fell 13 games behind the Reds with 19 games to go. Any combination of Reds' wins and Pirates' losses that add up to eight eliminate Pittsburgh from the division title.
The righthander gave up a pair of home runs among his nine hits but aided by the glove work of his teammates pitched seven innings in the Reds' 5-3 win over the sinking Pirates.
Brandon Phillips, who had a heart-to-heart with Pittsburgh reliever Jared Hughes before the game, canceled Alex Presley's first inning home run off Leake with his own home run, a leadoff shot. The blast off Pittsburgh starter, Kevin Correia, was his 17th long ball of the season and first since moving back into the leadoff spot.
"When they scored, we really wanted to put some runs on the board," Phillips said. "I'm surprised it went out. I hit is hard but not high."
The Reds piled on in the second inning. Dioner Navarro walked. One out later Leake singled to start a 2-for-2 night at the plate with a sacrifice. He is now hitting .286 for the season. Phillips doubled to score Navarro. Leake scored on a wild pitch and when Correia threw home to get Leake the ball eluded catcher Michael McKenry and Phillips scored.
Leake guarded the lead with the help of two double plays and a perfectly executed cutoff play in the fifth inning. Clint Barmes doubled to leadoff the fifth. Correia popped up the attempt to sacrifice. Brock Holt singled to right. Jay Bruce charged and threw home as Barmes rounded third but held. Holt trying to force a cutoff, Joey Votto cut the throw and flipped it back to Phillips, who snuck in behind Holt. Phillips with his back to the runner tagged Holt between his legs.
"That was the game right there to tell you the truth," Phillips said. "That gave me a breather," Leake said.
The Reds have been playing winning defense all season and manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the defense and the base running.
"We played good defense and ran the bases well. That's what you have to do. It isn't hitting all the time that wins you games," Baker said. "We have been 29 games over before and that's good but we've tried to get to 30 over .500 five times and that would be even better."
Leake had been roughed up in his last two outings by the Philadelphia Phillies but rebounded against the Pirates, turning in his 16th quality start among the 28 games he's started.
"I try to do that every time out but the Phillies have my number," Leake said. "This felt good."
Leake has been the victim of three blown saves this season but the Reds' bullpen has been strong for the most part all season.
"You see my sign on the wall over there," Baker said. "The two most important things are good friends and a good bullpen and not necessarily in that order."
Leake allowed a pinch hit home run to Gabby Sanchez with a runner on and two outs in the seventh before leaving the game with seven innings of nine-hit, three-run baseball.
Logan Ondrusek, Sean Marshall and closer for the day, Jonathan Broxton, who earned his first for the Reds combined to get the last six outs.
Broxton is closing games temporarily to allow the fatigued left shoulder of Aroldis Chapman to rest.
"We knew we might have to use him to close sometimes when we got him (in a trade with Kansas City). We just didn't know it would be for this reason. We knew there would be times when we needed him in that role," Baker said.
Broxton took it in stride having closed games for Los Angeles and Kansas City during his career.
"All outs are important. The only difference in the ninth inning is you don't have anyone to back you up," Broxton said.
The win reduced the Reds' magic number to 11 and could drop to 10 if San Diego beats St. Louis on the west coast. The Pirates still are in the wild card race but fell 13 games behind the Reds with 19 games to go. Any combination of Reds' wins and Pirates' losses that add up to eight eliminate Pittsburgh from the division title.
Brandon Phillips and Jared Hughes Talk It Out
There were hard feelings at Great American Ball Park during Monday night's marathon 14-inning game.
Brandon Phillips was hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh reliever, Jared Hughes. Phillips picked up the ball and flipped it in the direction of the pitchers mound with body language that was dismissive and confrontational.
Angry words were exchanged. Phillips tweeted the following after the game.
Brandon Phillips @DatDudeBP
#RealTalk... Not really surprised by what I heard come outta another player's mouth tonite but DAMN... Still PISSED bout that $h¡+!! #Racism
There were incidents between the teams during their last series in Cincinnati in early August. Andrew McCutcheon was hit by Aroldis Chapman. Josh Harrison was hit the next night by Mike Leake. The Pirates were clearly not pleased but did not throw at any Reds' hitters. Hughes did put extra emphasis on a tag applied to Dioner Navarro.
It set the stage for Monday night. Hughes hit Phillips in the eighth inning
On Tuesday the pair talked by phone.
"Last night it was the heat of the moment. Especially being from Stone Mountain, Georgia, a lot of crazy things and a lot of racial stuff happened," Phillips said. "I was upset about the situation. But me and Mr. Hughes had a great conversation. It was the best thing that ever happened. I just told him about things in general that have happened and we were talking about things that I heard. It was great to hear what he had to say and for him to hear what I had to say. I made us both feel better. I respect him as a player and also as a man. It was just a big misunderstanding. When you say some things in the heat of the moment, you really don't mean it. I understand that. You forgive people. He forgives me and I forgive him. This is a baseball family. I respect him as a player and he respects me as a player. He's a nasty pitcher. I don't like facing him. He's one of the best pitchers in the league. I wish didn't happen but everybody's all good."
"Just talking to him is the best thing that happened," Phillips said. "I'm not going to tell you what he said, that's between me and him. Last night I tweeted because that's how I felt. We are going to talk again. It makes the situation so much better."
They both reached out to each other.
"I wanted to talk to him last night," Phillips said "The game went so long."
Aroldis Chapman Needs Rest
Dusty Baker removed Aroldis Chapman in the 10th inning on Wednesday. His closer walked the bases loaded.
In his last appearance Chapman blew his fifth save when young Matt Dominguez of Houston hit a three-run home run.
During the marathon 14 inning win over Pittsburgh. Baker brought Sam LeCure into the game to get the final out of the inning.
"We're concerned," Baker said. "His velocity is down. He doesn't have any pain. He might be a little tired. We might have to rest him for awhile. He was analyzed by doctors. He may have a little shoulder fatigue."
In his last appearance Chapman blew his fifth save when young Matt Dominguez of Houston hit a three-run home run.
During the marathon 14 inning win over Pittsburgh. Baker brought Sam LeCure into the game to get the final out of the inning.
"We're concerned," Baker said. "His velocity is down. He doesn't have any pain. He might be a little tired. We might have to rest him for awhile. He was analyzed by doctors. He may have a little shoulder fatigue."
Reds Win a Marathon
The Pittsburgh Pirates came into Great American Ball Park for the final time in 2012, barring an appearance in the playoffs.
The Pirates would like an opportunity to return. They fought for 14 innings using all its position players.
They starte the day trailling the Reds by 11 games but are just 2-1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild card spot.
Ryan Ludwick ended the game with an infield hit in the 14th inning with two outs. It took five hours and 22 minutes to get the result they wanted after so much frustration.
"I stunk. I stunk the whole game," Ludwick said. "It seemed like I had a thousand chances to win the game and finally got it on a thousand and one."
"We haven't played our best baseball of late," Ludwick continued. "A game like this can turn us around. It could bring momentum back."The bullpens extended the game into the 14th inning.
Brock Holt doubled to leadoff the inning against Alfredo Simon. Pinch hitter Eric Fryer walked. McCutcheon's swinging bunt went for a hit to load the bases. Chase D'Arnaud hit a fly to shallow center the runners had to hold. Alverez forced Holt at home on a ground ball to Votto. Tabata took two called strikes then grounded out to Votto unassisted to end the threat. Simon allowed himself a celebratory fist pump as he felt the momentum shift.
"Getting out of bases loaded no outs is a big deal," Simon said. "I got in trouble. I told myself to keep the ball down, get a double play. It's hard to get out of those."
Simon threw D'Arnaud a slider.
"I thought he would be swinging at the first pitch. I threw a slider to try and get a ground ball. He hit it in the air but not deep enough."
Pittsburgh's seventh pitcher, Rick VanderHurk, just up from Indianapolis gave up a line drive to Devin Mesoraco that was within three feet of going over the leftfield wall. He settled for a single. Brandon Phillips top a ball right in front of the plate on a full swing. Catcher Michael McKenry tried to get Mesoraco at second but his throw was late. He got Chris Heisey on a fly out to left. He struck out Joey Votto. He appeared to be on the brink of pulling off Simon's trick and getting the momentum back. Ludwick was down to two strikes but during his at bat, VanderHurk threw a wild pitch. It was a key. Ludwick hit a high bouncing ball into the hole at short. D'Arnaud gloved it but the ball slipped from his throwing hand to eliminate the slim chance he had of throwing Ludwick out.
The 4-3 win dropped the Reds' magic number to 13 over St. Louis and 11 over Pittsburgh. An hour later, San Diego completed a win over St. Louis dropping the magic number to 12.
Wandy Rodriguez was on the mound for Pittsburgh, who has their backs against the wall.
Rodriguez retired the first nine batters while Andrew McCutcheon led his team to an offensive assault on Mat Latos in the fourth inning. McCutcheon launched his 26th home run to the upper deck in left. Latos walked Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata doubled to put runners on second and third. Latos walked Clint Barmes on a 3-2 pitch. Rod Barajas hit a short fly behind first base that Joey Votto couldn't get to. One run scored. Rodriguez hit a hard one hopper to third but Todd Frazier didn't field it cleanly. He threw Rodriguez out but could have turned a double play to get the Reds out of the inning. It cost the Reds a third run.
Chris Heisey in centerfield for the slumping Drew Stubbs hit a line drive home run to leftcenter. It was his seventh of the season.
Cincinnati chased Rodriguez and tied the game in the seventh inning. Votto led off with a single. Ludwick hit an "excuse me" dribbler back to the pitcher. To his credit Ludwick ran all out to first base to beat the double play relay. Jay Bruce hit a ground ball to secondbaseman, Brock Holt. Bruce also hustled to beat the relay.
Jared Hughes relieved Rodriguez after a single by Frazier. Dioner Navarro drilled a line drive to the rightfield corner just fair to score Bruce and Frazier.
Hughes was the pitcher that gave the extra shove when tagging Navarro out the last time the Pirates were in town. The Reds hit a couple Pittsburgh batters in that series but the Pirates didn't retaliate perhaps until now.
Aroldis Chapman pitched the 10th but was wild. He walked McCutcheon and Garrett Jones. Chapman struck out Alvarez. Bruce saved the game with a nice running catch of Tabata's line drive but Chapman walked Gabby Sanchez.
Dusty Baker removed the Cuban Missle in favor of Sam LeCure. Pinch hitter Michael McKenry grounded out to Frazier at third.
Chris Resop came to the mound for the Pirates to start the 10th. Ryan Hanigan singled. Stubbs ran for him. Brandon Phillips bunted and played cat and mouse with Resop to execute the sacrifice. Heisey walked on a 3-2 pitch, bringing Votto to the plate for the first game-on-the-line at bat of his return. Votto walked for the second time in the game. Ludwick worked the count full. Ludwick hit the 3-2 pitch on a hop to Sanchez at first, who threw home to force Stubbs. It was up to the reigning NL Player of the Week, Bruce. Bruce struck out swinging.
It took it's toll
"If you're going to go this long, it's huge to get the win," Baker said. "Our guys fought and the Pirtates played us tough. I'm sure a lot of the old bones are going to ache."
The Pirates would like an opportunity to return. They fought for 14 innings using all its position players.
They starte the day trailling the Reds by 11 games but are just 2-1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild card spot.
Ryan Ludwick ended the game with an infield hit in the 14th inning with two outs. It took five hours and 22 minutes to get the result they wanted after so much frustration.
"I stunk. I stunk the whole game," Ludwick said. "It seemed like I had a thousand chances to win the game and finally got it on a thousand and one."
"We haven't played our best baseball of late," Ludwick continued. "A game like this can turn us around. It could bring momentum back."The bullpens extended the game into the 14th inning.
Brock Holt doubled to leadoff the inning against Alfredo Simon. Pinch hitter Eric Fryer walked. McCutcheon's swinging bunt went for a hit to load the bases. Chase D'Arnaud hit a fly to shallow center the runners had to hold. Alverez forced Holt at home on a ground ball to Votto. Tabata took two called strikes then grounded out to Votto unassisted to end the threat. Simon allowed himself a celebratory fist pump as he felt the momentum shift.
"Getting out of bases loaded no outs is a big deal," Simon said. "I got in trouble. I told myself to keep the ball down, get a double play. It's hard to get out of those."
Simon threw D'Arnaud a slider.
"I thought he would be swinging at the first pitch. I threw a slider to try and get a ground ball. He hit it in the air but not deep enough."
Pittsburgh's seventh pitcher, Rick VanderHurk, just up from Indianapolis gave up a line drive to Devin Mesoraco that was within three feet of going over the leftfield wall. He settled for a single. Brandon Phillips top a ball right in front of the plate on a full swing. Catcher Michael McKenry tried to get Mesoraco at second but his throw was late. He got Chris Heisey on a fly out to left. He struck out Joey Votto. He appeared to be on the brink of pulling off Simon's trick and getting the momentum back. Ludwick was down to two strikes but during his at bat, VanderHurk threw a wild pitch. It was a key. Ludwick hit a high bouncing ball into the hole at short. D'Arnaud gloved it but the ball slipped from his throwing hand to eliminate the slim chance he had of throwing Ludwick out.
The 4-3 win dropped the Reds' magic number to 13 over St. Louis and 11 over Pittsburgh. An hour later, San Diego completed a win over St. Louis dropping the magic number to 12.
Wandy Rodriguez was on the mound for Pittsburgh, who has their backs against the wall.
Rodriguez retired the first nine batters while Andrew McCutcheon led his team to an offensive assault on Mat Latos in the fourth inning. McCutcheon launched his 26th home run to the upper deck in left. Latos walked Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata doubled to put runners on second and third. Latos walked Clint Barmes on a 3-2 pitch. Rod Barajas hit a short fly behind first base that Joey Votto couldn't get to. One run scored. Rodriguez hit a hard one hopper to third but Todd Frazier didn't field it cleanly. He threw Rodriguez out but could have turned a double play to get the Reds out of the inning. It cost the Reds a third run.
Chris Heisey in centerfield for the slumping Drew Stubbs hit a line drive home run to leftcenter. It was his seventh of the season.
Cincinnati chased Rodriguez and tied the game in the seventh inning. Votto led off with a single. Ludwick hit an "excuse me" dribbler back to the pitcher. To his credit Ludwick ran all out to first base to beat the double play relay. Jay Bruce hit a ground ball to secondbaseman, Brock Holt. Bruce also hustled to beat the relay.
Jared Hughes relieved Rodriguez after a single by Frazier. Dioner Navarro drilled a line drive to the rightfield corner just fair to score Bruce and Frazier.
Hughes was the pitcher that gave the extra shove when tagging Navarro out the last time the Pirates were in town. The Reds hit a couple Pittsburgh batters in that series but the Pirates didn't retaliate perhaps until now.
Aroldis Chapman pitched the 10th but was wild. He walked McCutcheon and Garrett Jones. Chapman struck out Alvarez. Bruce saved the game with a nice running catch of Tabata's line drive but Chapman walked Gabby Sanchez.
Dusty Baker removed the Cuban Missle in favor of Sam LeCure. Pinch hitter Michael McKenry grounded out to Frazier at third.
Chris Resop came to the mound for the Pirates to start the 10th. Ryan Hanigan singled. Stubbs ran for him. Brandon Phillips bunted and played cat and mouse with Resop to execute the sacrifice. Heisey walked on a 3-2 pitch, bringing Votto to the plate for the first game-on-the-line at bat of his return. Votto walked for the second time in the game. Ludwick worked the count full. Ludwick hit the 3-2 pitch on a hop to Sanchez at first, who threw home to force Stubbs. It was up to the reigning NL Player of the Week, Bruce. Bruce struck out swinging.
It took it's toll
"If you're going to go this long, it's huge to get the win," Baker said. "Our guys fought and the Pirtates played us tough. I'm sure a lot of the old bones are going to ache."
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Reds Drop Last NL Series Against the Astros
The Reds will be sorry to see the Houston Disastros leave for the American League but they will not miss young Matt Dominguez.
His three-run home run off Johnny Cueto was the key blow in Houston's 5-1 win over Cincinnati for the last time as NL opponents. The Reds are now and forever 439-399-1 in NL play. The Reds were 10-5 this season and 41-20 against them in the last four seasons.
Dominguez with all of 29 big league games under his belt and just 13 this season has three home runs, all against the Reds.
The 23-year old California native was the 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Astros for Carlos Lee.
Dominguez homered off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning Friday to win the game. His three-run home run off the Reds' other Cy Young candidate was the key hit against Johnny Cueto today.
"Getting those off the best pitchers in the game will boost my confidence for the rest of the season," Dominguez said.
"Johnny was just getting the ball up. He was throwing the ball well. He threw a high change up to Dominguez," manager Dusty Baker said. "We didn't get a lot of offense against Gonzalez. He did a good job of mixing up his changeup and fastball."
"It was just one of those days," Cueto said through an interpreter.
Cueto spent the first five months of the season as Cincinnati's "Mr. Sunshine."
Now? Bring on the night.
He was 11-1 with a 1.87 ERA in day games before today. He is 6-6 with a 3.31 ERA at night. He has lost his last two daytime starts.
Cueto has logged a career-high 192 inning now but insists he's not tired.
He insisted fatigue wasn't an issue.
I'm working hard," he said. "We're all working hard. I have three more outings. I'm just going to try to keep working hard."
He needs to win all three to get to the magic 20-win mark for the season.
The Reds could not do much against Mexican League castoff Edgar Gonzalez, who left after five innings with a blister on his right foot.
Gonzalez was released by Oakland and Colorado earlier in the year. He pitched at Colorado Springs and the Mexican League before the Astros signed him in August, sending him to Oklahoma City until September.
The Reds lone run scored on a triple by Jay Bruce, following a walk to Joey Votto.
Bruce continues his hot streak while the Reds around him are wearing down. The Reds still young rightfielder drove in his 96th run, one short of his career high. He has a nine-game hitting streak with a .438 average in that period. He's hit six home runs with 15 RBI with an RBI in each of his last seven games.
He is the first player in Major League history to hit at least 20 home runs as a rookie and improve on that total in each of the last four seasons. He hit 21 as a rookie in 2008, 22 in 2009, 25 in 2010, 32 last season and 33 this season. Only five players have done that at any point in their career, let alone the first five. The others are Hack Wilson 1926-30, Willie Stargell 1967-71, Jim Thome 1998-02, Derrek Lee 2001-05 and David Ortiz (2002-06.
Notes:
Todd Frazier's streak of reaching base in 30 straight games ended on an 0-for-4 day with two strikeouts. It was the longest such streak by the Reds this season....Joey Votto has reached base in 10 of his 16 plate appearances over four games, since coming back from knee surgery....Tony Cingrani made his Major League debut. He pitched three innings and struck out five batters but allowed a home run to Tyler Greene...Didi Gregorius got his first Major League hit. It was an infield hit in the sixth....The Reds bullpen lowered it's Major League best ERA to 2.70 with five innings of one-run baseball in relief of Cueto.
His three-run home run off Johnny Cueto was the key blow in Houston's 5-1 win over Cincinnati for the last time as NL opponents. The Reds are now and forever 439-399-1 in NL play. The Reds were 10-5 this season and 41-20 against them in the last four seasons.
Dominguez with all of 29 big league games under his belt and just 13 this season has three home runs, all against the Reds.
The 23-year old California native was the 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Astros for Carlos Lee.
Dominguez homered off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning Friday to win the game. His three-run home run off the Reds' other Cy Young candidate was the key hit against Johnny Cueto today.
"Getting those off the best pitchers in the game will boost my confidence for the rest of the season," Dominguez said.
"Johnny was just getting the ball up. He was throwing the ball well. He threw a high change up to Dominguez," manager Dusty Baker said. "We didn't get a lot of offense against Gonzalez. He did a good job of mixing up his changeup and fastball."
"It was just one of those days," Cueto said through an interpreter.
Cueto spent the first five months of the season as Cincinnati's "Mr. Sunshine."
Now? Bring on the night.
He was 11-1 with a 1.87 ERA in day games before today. He is 6-6 with a 3.31 ERA at night. He has lost his last two daytime starts.
Cueto has logged a career-high 192 inning now but insists he's not tired.
He insisted fatigue wasn't an issue.
I'm working hard," he said. "We're all working hard. I have three more outings. I'm just going to try to keep working hard."
He needs to win all three to get to the magic 20-win mark for the season.
The Reds could not do much against Mexican League castoff Edgar Gonzalez, who left after five innings with a blister on his right foot.
Gonzalez was released by Oakland and Colorado earlier in the year. He pitched at Colorado Springs and the Mexican League before the Astros signed him in August, sending him to Oklahoma City until September.
The Reds lone run scored on a triple by Jay Bruce, following a walk to Joey Votto.
Bruce continues his hot streak while the Reds around him are wearing down. The Reds still young rightfielder drove in his 96th run, one short of his career high. He has a nine-game hitting streak with a .438 average in that period. He's hit six home runs with 15 RBI with an RBI in each of his last seven games.
He is the first player in Major League history to hit at least 20 home runs as a rookie and improve on that total in each of the last four seasons. He hit 21 as a rookie in 2008, 22 in 2009, 25 in 2010, 32 last season and 33 this season. Only five players have done that at any point in their career, let alone the first five. The others are Hack Wilson 1926-30, Willie Stargell 1967-71, Jim Thome 1998-02, Derrek Lee 2001-05 and David Ortiz (2002-06.
Notes:
Todd Frazier's streak of reaching base in 30 straight games ended on an 0-for-4 day with two strikeouts. It was the longest such streak by the Reds this season....Joey Votto has reached base in 10 of his 16 plate appearances over four games, since coming back from knee surgery....Tony Cingrani made his Major League debut. He pitched three innings and struck out five batters but allowed a home run to Tyler Greene...Didi Gregorius got his first Major League hit. It was an infield hit in the sixth....The Reds bullpen lowered it's Major League best ERA to 2.70 with five innings of one-run baseball in relief of Cueto.
Tony Cingrani Debut..Frazier Wearing Down
Tony Cingrani made his Major League debut in relief of Johnny Cueto, who had a rough outing.
Cingrani is in just his second professional season after he was drafted by the Reds in the third round of the 2011 draft. The lefthander made 25 starts between High A Bakersfield and Double A Pensacola. Combined he was 10-4 with a 1.73 ERA which was the second lowest ERA among minor league pitchers that worked a minimum of 100 innings.
Cingrani struck out Fernando Martinez, the first batter he faced, and worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
Todd Frazier has reached base in 30 straight games coming into Sunday's game with Houston but he is hitting just .237 in the last 10 games with zero RBI.
Cingrani is in just his second professional season after he was drafted by the Reds in the third round of the 2011 draft. The lefthander made 25 starts between High A Bakersfield and Double A Pensacola. Combined he was 10-4 with a 1.73 ERA which was the second lowest ERA among minor league pitchers that worked a minimum of 100 innings.
Cingrani struck out Fernando Martinez, the first batter he faced, and worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
Todd Frazier has reached base in 30 straight games coming into Sunday's game with Houston but he is hitting just .237 in the last 10 games with zero RBI.
Reds Players Gasping For Breath
Leading the pack can wear on a long distance runner. Leading the marathon that is the baseball pennant race has the same effect.
Zack Cozart is nursing a strained left oblique muscle.
"It is minor right now but you have to be careful with those," Dusty Baker said before the Reds tilt with the Houston Astros Sunday morning. "If you reinjure it you can be out for a month to six weeks. Then you haven't done anything for awhile and there is no minor league season to rehab. They are keeping his hands strong by carrying a bat around so it isn't foreign to him when he is able to take some swings."
Didi Gregorius will get his second start this week and will bat second.
Scott Rolen is taking meds to calm down the spasms in his back.
"We have to get Frazier a break," Baker said. "He's been playing a lot. You can see his bat slowing down. He hasn't hit a home run or driven in a run in awhile. They are starting to pitch him differently too. Other teams have scouts like we do."
Xavier Paul is starting in leftfield for Ryan Ludwick and Drew Stubbs is back in the lineup batting seventh.
"Ludwick is slowing down too. He's been on base a lot. Usually behind a real hot streak there is a cold streak. His swing is slowing too. Heisey has been playing good but we need Stubbs back in there. We need him in center."
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Reds Back on Track Magic Number in the Mid Teens
Jay Bruce forgot to hit a home run Friday night. It would have been a record five straight games with a home run.
His memory was revived Saturday with his 33rd home run of the season, setting a new career high in the Reds' 5-1 win. He is closing in on a new career high in RBI as well. His high mark is 97. He stands at 95 at the moment.
The 421 foot blast off Bud Norris leading off the second inning erased an early 1-0 deficit. The young Houston Astros fresh off the farm from Oklahoma City scored off the cagey veteran, Bronson Arroyo in the first inning. Fernando Martinez doubled with one out and scored on a two out single to center by Justin Maxwell.
They scored no more in Arroyo's seven innings in spite of getting five singles and two walks against the Reds' hurler. Arroyo lasted seven innings.
"August and September have always been pretty good for me," Arroyo said, who improved his record to 12-7. "I'm a guy who needs regular work. Too many days off leaves me tired. If I ever get off to a good start, I might end up having a great season. I always seem to be running uphill in the second half."
Brandon Phillips hit his 16th off Norris in the third. The Reds added three in the sixth. Joey Votto doubled to lead off, his second hit. Bruce was walked intentionally an out later. Todd Frazier was unintentionally issued a base on balls to load the bases. Ryan Hanigan dumped a single into shallow right to score Votto. Wilson Valdez, playing shortstop with Zack Cozart out with a strained oblique battled Norris' replacement, Fernando Rodriguez. Behind 0-2 Valdez squibbed the 10th pitch of the at bat between thirdbase and Rodriguez. The pitcher made a sliding stop then threw the ball past catcher Jason Castro and two men scored.
Phillips struggled since moving back to the leadoff spot on Wednesday.
"It usually takes a while to get used to it," Phillips said. "Today was one of those days when hits fell in. I might be coming back sooner this time."
Sean Marshall, pitched a scoreless eighth. Henry Rodriguez singled for his first major league hit batting for Marshall in the eighth.
Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to reduce the Reds' magic number to 14. Pittsburgh also lost to the Chicago Cubs, leaving them with a tragic number of 13.
His memory was revived Saturday with his 33rd home run of the season, setting a new career high in the Reds' 5-1 win. He is closing in on a new career high in RBI as well. His high mark is 97. He stands at 95 at the moment.
The 421 foot blast off Bud Norris leading off the second inning erased an early 1-0 deficit. The young Houston Astros fresh off the farm from Oklahoma City scored off the cagey veteran, Bronson Arroyo in the first inning. Fernando Martinez doubled with one out and scored on a two out single to center by Justin Maxwell.
They scored no more in Arroyo's seven innings in spite of getting five singles and two walks against the Reds' hurler. Arroyo lasted seven innings.
"August and September have always been pretty good for me," Arroyo said, who improved his record to 12-7. "I'm a guy who needs regular work. Too many days off leaves me tired. If I ever get off to a good start, I might end up having a great season. I always seem to be running uphill in the second half."
Brandon Phillips hit his 16th off Norris in the third. The Reds added three in the sixth. Joey Votto doubled to lead off, his second hit. Bruce was walked intentionally an out later. Todd Frazier was unintentionally issued a base on balls to load the bases. Ryan Hanigan dumped a single into shallow right to score Votto. Wilson Valdez, playing shortstop with Zack Cozart out with a strained oblique battled Norris' replacement, Fernando Rodriguez. Behind 0-2 Valdez squibbed the 10th pitch of the at bat between thirdbase and Rodriguez. The pitcher made a sliding stop then threw the ball past catcher Jason Castro and two men scored.
Phillips struggled since moving back to the leadoff spot on Wednesday.
"It usually takes a while to get used to it," Phillips said. "Today was one of those days when hits fell in. I might be coming back sooner this time."
Sean Marshall, pitched a scoreless eighth. Henry Rodriguez singled for his first major league hit batting for Marshall in the eighth.
Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to reduce the Reds' magic number to 14. Pittsburgh also lost to the Chicago Cubs, leaving them with a tragic number of 13.
Chris Heisey Starts Third Day in A Row Zack Cozart and Scott Rolen Out
Chris Heisey will start in centerfield for the third straight game, while Drew Stubbs works on extra hitting.
Heisey is hitting .481 in his last eight games with two home runs and seven RBI. Stubbs is in a 4-for-30 slump over the same period.
Zack Cozart is sitting out with a strained left oblique.
Scott Rolen is out for the second straight game with back spasms.
Heisey is hitting .481 in his last eight games with two home runs and seven RBI. Stubbs is in a 4-for-30 slump over the same period.
Zack Cozart is sitting out with a strained left oblique.
Scott Rolen is out for the second straight game with back spasms.
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