Pittsburgh 0 4 0
Cincinnati 3 7 0
By Ryan Bramwell
- Mat Latos was tremendous for the Reds Friday night. Through seven innings of work Latos had only given up a pair of hits and no runs. He decided that pitching a shutout wasn't good enough and rocketed a two-run homer in the 5th inning to give the Reds a 3-0 lead. In the end, Latos left after seven and one-third innings and gave up no runs on four hits, struck out five, and walked three. A heck of game if you ask me.
- Jonathan Broxton came into the game in the 8th inning after Latos had gotten himself in the only jam he had been in all night. With one out and two runners on base, Broxton got pinch-hitter Gaby Sanchez to hit into an inning-ending double play. The lead was safe and Broxton earned his second hold in as many days in his new uniform.
- Aroldis Chapman picked up save number 24 on the year without a hitch. He struck out a pair along the way. It's pretty safe to say that the Reds have a three-headed monster in the bullpen with Marshall, Broxton and Chapman. The New Nasty Boys.
- Zack Cozart looked good in the leadoff position tonight for the first time in quite some time. He was 3-for-4 and even had a bunt single. Good job, Cozy.
- Chris Heisey had the surprise of the night when he hit a long shot that bounced off the wall and ricocheted back toward the infield. It took just enough time for Heisey to round the bases and slide in at home on a close play. He was safe and the Reds' first run of the night came off an inside-the-park home run. That's is the second one of the year at GABP (Bruce had the other).
- Ryan Hanigan and Drew Stubbs had the only other hits on the night for the Reds.
- The Reds are now 65-41 on the season! Incredible. They are 4.5 games up on the Pirates now!
- Votto and Phillips did not play due to injury and Jay Bruce had the night off as well. Who would have thought the Reds will still be able to pull off a victory over a 60-win team like the upstart Pirates without their three major offensive threats? That's how good they are, people. Get used to it.
- The Reds have now won 21 of the last 24 games and 14 of the last 15. That's scorching hot.
- Fans are showing their support as last night was another sellout crowd. That makes for 10 sellouts on the year! Marty Brennaman announced that Saturday's game was already sold out and that Sunday still had some tickets available. Remember when it used to be so easy to snag tickets for anywhere in the ballpark for a Reds/Pirates affair? Not anymore. Go Redlegs!
Marty Brennaman was on the field after the game for what they decided to call the "Marty Party." Marty had turned 70 a few ago, but more importantly he had promised to shave his head bald if the Reds won 10-straight games this season. The opinionated Reds' broadcaster of 39 years has always had some "big" hair and it is going to be strange to seem him without it...but it will be hilarious. Brennaman made good on his promise and had his head shaved in front of the crowd that hung around after the game. Below is a link to the video of historic moment. (Somewhere around minute-mark 15:45, Marty is told that it "doesn't look that bad" and you can read his lips as he rebuttles with "Bull**it." Just tremendous.)
Marty Brennaman Through the Years
I think he looks better with his head shaved.
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