Game 99: Rocky Mountain High

Reds Win 8th Straight Behind Arroyo's Pitching

Cincinnati   3   9   0
Colorado   0   8   0

By Ryan Bramwell

• Bronson Arroyo was terrific last night for the Reds as he went 6 and 2/3 innings allowing zero runs on six hits.  He also struck out three batters and walked absolutely no one.  Arroyo has had trouble in the past at Coors Field, but he sure didn't have any Friday night.  Bronson is now 6-6 and has lowered his ERA to 3.76 on the year.  It was also the first time all season that he's been able to tally back-to-back wins.
• Ryan Ludwick had the best day offensively for the Reds as he reached base three times going 2-for-3 with a walk.  He had an RBI-double and scored two runs as well.
• Ryan Hanigan also moved from the batter's box to the basepaths on three occasions with a walk and a pair of singles.
• Scott Rolen was 2-for-4 with two singles on the night.  His average is up to .219 as he continues to climb out of the cellar.
• Xavier Paul came off the bench and promptly got a single in his pinch-hit opportunity.  Paul is now batting .500 in his short tenure with the club.  He is making it difficult for Jocketty and company to spend money and prospects on a new outfielder, or he's at least making them think twice about it.
• Phillips and Cozart each had a base knock and Brandon scored a run as well.
• Frazier knocked Ludwick home on a somewhat shallow fly ball to center.  Luckily a not-so-good throw to the plate allowed the sac-fly to happen.
• Cozart and Stubbs.  The top-of-the-order.  The #1 and #2 guys.  They went 1-for-10 last night.  They combined for only one strike out, which is good.  But they combined for zero walks, which is just plain terrible.
• Alfredo Simon put a fire out in the 7th when Bronson left the game.  He then went on to pitch the 8th inning as well.  Simon allowed only one hit in his time on the mound. 
• Aroldis Chapman gave up a hit in the 9th, but he struck out three other unlucky Rockies to grab his 20th save on the year.  His strike out per nine innings rate is at 17.2 now.  Sheesh.

The Reds move to 59-40.  Yes, 19 games over .500.  Yes, eight wins in a row.  Yes.  Only the Yankees have a better record than the Reds in all of baseball.  And only by one game.  Saturday's game will get started at 8:10pm ET as the Reds send ace Johnny Cueto (12-5, 2.23) to the mound against Christian Friedrich (5-7, 5.71).  Let's go get win number 60 tonight, fellas!