Sunday, September 23, 2012

Game 152: 2012 CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS

Reds Become First Team in 2012 to Clinch a Division Title; Best Dodgers Behind Studly Latos

LAD  0  6  1  (78-74)
CIN  6  8  0  (92-60)  

W: Mat Latos (13-4)
L: Stephen Fife (0-2)

Box Score

  • Recap
    • The Cincinnati Reds are 2012 Central Division Champions!  Did you have any doubts?  This makes for two titles in three years in the Queen City now.  And this is a whole different ballclub than those pesky 2010 champs.  These guys are confident, capable, and a lot of them are out to prove something.
    • Mat Latos has been nothing less than spectacular for the last three months and he was simply brilliant last night.  8.0 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 7 SO.  That was the game he put together in front of 42,000 people and a national television audience and to win a division title for his team.  I would consider that he be our ace going into the playoffs, not Cueto.  Cueto has been great all year long (until recently), but Latos has become the man with the fire we had hoped for...and gave up a lot for.
    • Jay Bruce: Jables was able to play a part once again in another Reds division clinching game in his young career.  He tattooed a home run to right field for his 34th of the year.  I swear he must have been tipped off about the pitch type, location, and velocity.
    • Brandon Phillips also crushed a ball to left field off the banner scoreboard under the second deck. It was home run number 18 for Phillips who reached base four times going 2-for-3 with two walks.
    • Todd Frazier was 2-for-4 with a double (26) and nearly a home run.  His double did notch him his 63rd RBI and gave the Reds a 4-0 lead, which was only part of the 8th inning damage the good guys dealt.
    • Zack Cozart was 2-for-4 including a big single in that same 8th inning that brought home two Redlegs and sent the crowd to its feet.  This initiated an awe-inspired smile from Zack standing at 1st base as he peered out into the sea of fans.  The fans whom he had just given an extra cushion of two more runs, all but solidifying the Reds chances of winning this division.  Essentially, we all felt a little safer at this point. 
    • Aroldis Chapman made his long awaited returned (sidelined Sep.10) and it was impeccable timing to say the least.  The lead was virtually insurmountable going into the 9th for the Dodgers, Chapman had been stretching and warming in the pen for nearly two innings, and the crowd wanted it to end with the Missile on the mound.   Although Chapman walked Adrian Gonzalez and some command issues, he did show that his velocity was much better than it was two weeks ago.  He reached 99 mph a few times including his last pitch, which was a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.  Phillips-to-Cozart-to-Votto.  Game over.  Reds win.  We did it.
    • Rejoice. 


 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
Clubhouse Celebrating: Courtesy of Ramsey's Blog

 
Video: From MLB.com 
 
 

 
 
 
 

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