Game 45: Reds @ Mets (Game 1/3: J.Cueto/S.Marcum)

Reds Prevail in the Return of Ace Johnny Cueto; Chapman Redeems Himself

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN  (27-18)  4  8  0
NYM (17-25) 3  5  1

W: Johnny Cueto (2-0)
L: Shaun Marcum (0-5)
S: Aroldis Chapman (9)

Box Score

• Cueto: 5.0 IP, 3 ER. 3 H, 4 BB, 8 SO
• Not particularly sharp in his return, but that can be expected when a guy has been out as long as Johnny has. 
• A three-run homer off the bat of Marlon Byrd was truly the only damage inflicted on Cueto.  Otherwise, he wasn't all that bad.
• Despite walking four batters, he worked himself out of several jams showing Reds fans a reason to stay positive throughout his time on the mound. 
• Votto: 2-for-4 with a walk.  Batting .353 now.
• Bruce: 2-for-4 with his 16th double and his 6th home run. 

Game 44: Reds @ Phillies (Game 3/3: H.Bailey/J.Pettibone)

Chapman Gives it up Big Time in the 9th; Reds Lose in Philly Walkoff

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (26-18)  2  9  1
PHI (21-23)  3  9  1

W: Antonio Bastardo (2-1)
L: Aroldis Chapman (3-2)

Box Score

• Bailey: 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 SO
• Frazier: 2-for-4 with his 8th double; Seems to be getting off the snide finally
• Votto: 2-for-4; Nothing stops this guy
• Bruce: Homered (5) for the second straight night
• Bullpen Woes:
• Broxton: 0.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 SO
• Chapman: 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H (2 Home Runs), 1 BB, 0 SO

Game 43: Reds @ Phillies (Game 2/3: B.Arroyo/K.Kendrick)

Reds Free Their Offense in the Liberty City; Rout Phillies 10-0 Behind General Arroyo and Sergeant Votto

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (26-17)  10 16 0
PHI (20-23)   0  6  0

W: Bronson Arroyo (4-4)
L: Kyle Kendrick (4-2)

Box Score

• Arroyo: 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 SO
• Votto: Reached base in all six plate appearances!  4-for-4 with two walks.  He homered (6) and doubled (10) as well, knocking in two runs (20) and scoring twice.  An amazing game for Mr. Vottomatic.
• Hanigan: Hit a three-run homer (1) in the second inning and got the offense cooking.
• Choo: Two hits, a walk, and a stolen base (5)
• Bruce: 2-for-4 with his 15th double and 27th RBI
• Frazier: 2-for-4 with two runs scored
• Lutz: 2-for-5 with his 1st ML double

Game 42: Reds @ Phillies (Game 1/3: T.Cingrani/C.Lee)

Phils Snap Reds' 6-Game Winning Streak; Votto and Bruce Homer in Loss

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (25-17)  3  8  1
PHI (20-22)  5  6  0

W: Justin De Fratus (2-0)
L: Sean Marshall (0-1)
S: Jonathan Papelbon (8)

Box Score

• Cingrani: 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 SO
• Home runs from Votto (5) and Bruce (4)
• Phillips had a double (11) and a walk
• Cozart, Mesoraco and Robinson all had a hit

Game 41: Reds @ Marlins (Game 3/3: M.Latos/J.Fernandez)

Latos' Gem Ends Up as a No Decision; Reds Rally in 10th to Drown Fish and Earn Second-Straight Series Sweep

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN  (25-16) 5  8  0
MIA (11-30) 3  6  1  F/10

W: Aroldis Chapman (3-1)
L: Steve Cishek (1-4)
S: J.J. Hoover (3)

Box Score

• Latos: 8.1 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K.
• Big Mat was stellar thru eight innings as he had given up only one run to this point.  He did so by throwing very few pitches and inducing many ground balls.
• In the ninth, however, with one out Latos gave up a triple to Hechavarria that led to Mat's removal from the game before he could muster up Cincy's second straight complete game.
• Overall, Latos was superb.
• Chapman: Entered the game where Latos left off and gave up a game-tying triple to Miguel Ozuna.  He also struck out two batters.
• Bruce: 2-for-4 with double (14), walk and three RBI (24)
• Phillips: 1-for-4 with two RBI (36) including a home run (7) in the fourth and a big sac-fly in the 10th.
• Choo: 1-for-3; two walks
• Votto: 1 for 4, with a double (9) and a wlak
• Paul/Hanigan: Both had singles on the night
• Lutz: Pinh-hit home run (8.1) in the 10th inning

That's six in a row and 10 wins out of 12 boys!

Reds Breakdown: 2013, One Quarter Into the Season

It Takes A Little From Everybody and Then Some: Analyzing Your Redlegs' Performances After 1/4 of the 2013 Season

By Ryan Bramwell

Team Stats

• Record: 24-16 (.600)
• 2nd in NL Central: Cardinals 26-13 (Best record in MLB)
• 4th best in MLB: 1. STL (26-13), 2. TEX (26-14), 3. NYY (25-15), 4. CIN (24-16)
• Home (16-6), Road (8-10)
• Runs Scored (190-1st NL), Runs Allowed (150-4th NL); Run Differential (+40-2nd NL)
• Streak: W5, 9 wins in 11 games
• Batting: NL Rankings
• Runs - 1st (190)
• Batting Avg - 7th (.251)
• On-Base % - 1st (.335)
• Slugging % - T-7th (.394)
• OPS % - 5th (.729)
• HRs - 8th (39)
• RBI - 2nd (180)
• Pitching: NL Rankings
• Runs Allowed - 4th (150)
• ERA - 3rd (3.45)
• Quality Starts - 6th (23)
• Walks: 3rd (104)
• Strikeouts: 1st (336)
• BA Against: 4th (.243)

Player Stats

• Batting: Team Leaders
• Batting Avg: Votto (.327), Choo (.322), Phillips (.286), Bruce (.264)
• On-Base %: Choo (.465), Votto (.457), Phillips (.329), Frazier (.318), Bruce (.310)
• Slugging %: Choo (.589), Votto (.473), Phillips (.468), Frazier (.420), Bruce (.411)
• OPS %: Choo (1.054), Votto (.931), Phillips (.797), Frazier (.738), Bruce (.721)
• Doubles: Bruce (13), Choo (10), Phillips (10), Votto (8)
• Home Runs: Choo (9), Phillips (6), Frazier (6), Cozart (5), Votto (4)
• RBI: Phillips (34), Frazier (25), Bruce (21), Choo (19), Cozart (19), Votto (17)
• Walks: Votto (34), Choo (27), Frazier (16), Paul (12)
• Stolen Bases: Choo (4), Frazier (3), Lutz (2), Heisey (2)
• Offensive WAR: Choo (2.6), Votto (1.5), Phillips (0.7), Frazier (0.6)
• Pitching: Team Leaders
• Innings Pitched: Arroyo (52.2), Bailey (51.1), Latos (50.1), Leake (48.1), Cingrani (28.0)
• ERA: Cingrani (2.89), Latos (3.04), Bailey (3.51), Leake (3.72), Arroyo (3.76)
• WHIP: Cingrani (0.96), Arroyo (1.14), Bailey (1.15), Latos (1.27), Leake (1.49)
• Quality Starts: Latos (6), Arroyo (5), Bailey (5), Leake (3), Cingrani (2), Cueto (2)
• Strikeouts: Bailey (52), Latos (47), Cingrani (37), Leake (34), Arroyo (30)
• Walks: Cingrani (7), Arroyo (8), Leake (13), Latos (14), Bailey (14)
• Home Runs Allowed: Bailey (4), Leake (5), Latos (5), Arroyo (6), Cingrani (6)
• WAR: Latos (0.8), Bailey (0.8), LeCure (0.8), Cueto (0.8), Arroyo (0.7), Cingrani (0.7)
• Saves: Chapman (8), Hoover (2)
• Holds: LeCure (5), Broxton (5), Marshall (5)

Reds Notes

• MVP (Through 40 Games)
• Shin-Soo Choo:
• .322/.465/.589, OPS 1.054, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 10 2B, 4 SB, 27 BB, 2.6 OWAR
• The addition of Choo for 2013 has made the Reds one of the most potent offensive teams in baseball.  The Reds finished 2012 with an OBP of .315, which was good for 12th out of 16 teams in the NL.  Currently the Reds rank 1st in the league in that category, mostly in part to Choo's .465 OBP and Votto's .457 mark.
• If the Reds could get a healthy Ludwick back and batting cleanup, then a lineup of Choo, Phillips, and Votto at the top-of-the-order could prove to wreak devastation on its opponents.  But it all begins with OBP machine Shin-Soo Choo.
• MVP Honorable Mention
• Brandon Phillips:
• .286/.329/.468 slash line with an OPS of .797
• 6 home runs, 10 doubles
• 34 RBI - Leads the NL
• BP was slotted to be the two-hole hitter in an offense-rich lineup for the 2013 Reds.  After an injury to cleanup hitter Ryan Ludwick on Opening Day sent the power-hitting left-fielder to DL, Brandon was called upon to be the man to drive in Reds baserunners...and he has done it with aplomb.  Phillips leads the NL in RBI and is currently on pace for 28 home runs and 138 runs batted in.  Simply put, BP is getting it done.
• Rotation Studs
• Mat Latos (Thru 41 Games)
• 4-0, 2.91 ERA, 51 SO in 58.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7 QS/9 GS
• Big Mat has been nothing short of stellar in 2013.  So much for his notorious slow starts to begin new seasons, Mat has been impressive since his first outing on the mound.
• Latos has had three wins stripped away from him due to the only three blown saves the Reds have had this season. Yet, he is still on pace for 16 wins and 200+ strikeouts to boot.
• There was much concern over the fact that Mat is a "fly-ball pitcher" when the Reds traded the farm to obtain him.  Surely, GABP would not be the safe haven that PETCO Park was in San Diego for his style of pitching.  However, there has been a trend of a lot of ground ball outs in his recent starts. 
• The big guy boasts a total win-loss record of 18-4 since he joined the club in 2012.
• Tony Cingrani
•  2-0, 2.89 ERA, 37 SO in 28.0 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 37/7 K/BB Ratio
• Tony C. has been ridiculously good at the Major League level and has a LOT of people talking.
• Cingrani is the only lefthander on the Reds staff and the first since Dontrelle Willis in 2011, and the first since Travis Wood before him.   
• He doesn't have a lot of different pitches in his repertoire, but he does have a variety of fastball types that he can locate with a lot of movement and a ton of velocity. 
•  Rest of the Staff
• Bailey (2-3, 3.51), Leake (3-2, 3.72), Arroyo (3-4, 3.76) 
• Every member of the Reds rotation have an ERA below league-average of 3.81.  And 3.81 is nothing to scoff at, as it is a relatively remarkable number for 15 teams and their rotations to average. 
• Homer has come into his own after a breakout 2012,  and he continues to progress and even pitch well at home.
• Arroyo is still a workhorse and a skilled craftsman.  It is truly fun to watch him pick and place, and bend and move the ball all around the strike zone at will when he is on his A-game. 
• Leake had a few bad starts early on but then took a turn for the better and hasn't really looked back since he made that turn.  Currently, the spotlight is shining bright on Mikey as the Reds brass and the media are watching closely as he and Tony Cingrani vie over the fifth spot in a super-talented rotation.
• Bullpen Beast
• Sam LeCure
• 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .175 BAA, 19 SO in 18 IP, 5 Holds
• LeCure has been the most reliable source out of Dusty's bullpen so far in 2013.  This shouldn't be surprising as Sammy has been a trustworthy, go-to-guy for a couple of seasons now. 
• LeCure is able to come into a game in any situation in any inning and get the job done.  He has the ability to move the ball around the zone like Bronson does, but he does it with more velocity. 
• In 2012, LeCure only allowed five out of 31 inherited runners score on his watch.  So far in 2013, no inherited runners have crossed home plate.
• Injuries
• Ryan Ludwick
• Suffered a torn right labrum after sliding safely into third base headfirst on Opening Day against the Angels.  He drew two walks in his only two at-bats that day. 
• Ludwick said he had just began recently really feeling comfortable at the plate and seeing the ball well near the end of Spring Training. 
• He is scheduled to come back shortly after the All-Star break.
• Johnny Cueto
•  Suffered a strained right lat in his third start of the season back in mid-April.  Cueto was pitching superbly before the injury.  Johnny was 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched. 
• Cueto had a setback during his rehab and once again had trouble with an oblique muscle, but recently he has recovered fully and is coming off a tremendous rehab start. 
• Cueto is due to join the rotation and make his first start since the injury on Monday, May 20.
• Ryan Hanigan
• The Irish Mitt was activated recently after a stint on the DL with an oblique strain.  While being treated for the oblique, it was noted that Hanigan's thumb had also been sore which may have been another attribute to his poor performance at the plate.
• With Hanigan back, the Reds can send fan-favorite Corky Miller back to the minors. 
• Ryan has been one of the most disciplined hitters in the box over the last couple of seasons for Cincinnati and typically sits among the Reds' top OBP guys because of that keen eye. 
• Hanigan is also known as a great defensive catcher, superb game-caller for his pitchers, and a guy who throws out a hefty percentage of would-be-base-stealers.  The Reds will need these attributes from Hanny again while they also rely on their high-potential catcher product Devin Mesoraco to continue to get better and better.
• In 13 at-bats since returning, Hanigan has five hits for a .385 BA.  He has also drawn two walks in that span.  He had only three hits in 38 at-bats prior to the DL stint.
• Chris Heisey
•  Chris injured his hamstring back on April 27, and then "suffered a setback" in one of his recent rehab games that has pushed his return time back until at least the Reds' homestand that begins on May 24.
• Hesiey wasn't playing so hot before he left: .173/.195/.293, and .498 OPS, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 2B, 2 SB. 
• Xavier Paul, Donald Lutz, and Derrick Robinson have been filling in the outfield spots capably since Heisey's injury.  However, Heisey's right-handedness may play in his favor anyway since Baker's bench is thick with southpaws as it is.  I couldn't see Dusty keeping Lutz or Robinson over Heisey no matter what the statistics show anyhow.  I guess we will find out.
• Sean Marshall
• After sitting out essentially since before the season began, Marshall was activated to the 25-man roster on April 26.  Sean had a shoulder injury that kept him out that first month of 2013.
• Since his much needed return, Marshall has been exactly what Reds fans expect as he has shut down his competition.
• He has recorded five holds in just eight appearances while giving up just one earned run.
• Superbly Filling the Voids
• Xavier Paul
• .261/.378/.406, and .784 OPS, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 4 2B, 13 BB
• XP gets on base at a .378 clip.  He drives in runs and delivers big hits when the Reds seem to need them most.  Paul is clutch and patient at the dish. 
• Tony Cingrani
•  2-0, 2.89 ERA, 37 SO in 28.0 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 37/7 K/BB Ratio
• See 'Rotation Studs' for more info
• Derrick Robinson
• Seven seasons in the minors before finally making the grade and getting the call to the Show.  Yet, the speedy, switch-hitting Derrick Robinson is still only 25 years old. 
• In 23 at-bats, Robinson has a slash line of .304/.448/.304, and an OPS of .753. 
• He has compiled seven hits and six walks in those plate appearances.  He plays above-average defense and can run like the dickens.
• The Upcoming Big Decision
• Mike Leake or Tony Cingrani?
• Leake: 3-2, 3.72 ERA, 48.1 IP, 34/13 K/BB, 1.49 WHIP, .307 BAA
• Cingrani: 2-0, 2.89 ERA, 28.0 IP, 37/7 K/BB, 0.96 WHIP, .202 BAA 

Game 40: Reds @ Marlins (Game 2/3: M.Leake/A.Sanabia)

Choo For MVP! Reds Win Fifth Straight Behind Leake's Pitching and Shin-Soo's Big Night at the Plate

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (24-16)  4 11 0
MIA (11-29) 0 11 0

W: Mike Leake (3-2)
L: Alex Sanabia (2-6)

Box Score

•  Leake: 6.2 IP, 0 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 6 SO
• Great performance by Mikey tonight.  Really worked out of some jams and despite giving up nine hits he didn't allow a run to cross the plate.
• Leake is making it tougher and tougher for management to make a decision on the fifth spot of the rotation.
• Mikey is now 3-2 with an ERA of 3.72.  All Reds starters now have an ERA below the league average.  Pretty darned impressive.
• Shin-Soo Choo: 4-for-5, two home runs (9), two RBI (19), three runs scored
• Choo is having a heck of a year and is proving to be the best free-agent pickup the Reds have had in a long while...Ludwick was an amazing FA signing last season. Even so, Choo is on pace to destroy the numbers Luddy put up in 2012.
• Shin-Soo is batting .322, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 4 SB.  10 Doubles, 27 walks, 12 HBPs.  His OBP is a whopping .465 while he is slugging .589 for a monster OPS of 1.054!!! Now those are some Votto-esque digits right there!  Choo was referred to as being in 'MVP Chatter' on ESPN's Baseball Tonight following the game.
• Check this out: Choo is on pace for 36 home runs, 77 runs batted in, 16 stolen bases, 41 doubles, and 109 bases on balls.  Although it is doubtful he can maintain this pace, it sure would be incredible if he came anywhere close to those numbers.
• Phillips: Two hits including his 10th double and his 34th RBI
• Brandon leads the National League in RBI and has the third most in the MLB behind perennial-MVP-candidate Miguel Cabrera (41) and Oriole's first-baseman Chris Davis (37).
• Jables: Bruce continues to heat up/stay hot as he had two more hits including his 13th double of the year.
• Joey V: 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI (17)
• Izturis: Notched his first extra-base hit as a Redleg with a double (1).  Also, he drew a walk.  Cesar was filling in for Zack Cozart and batting in Cozy's usual two-hole spot in the lineup.
• Marshall and LeCure: Solid bullpen relief from these two guys per the usual. 
• Marshall came in to get the final out of the 7th inning for Mike Leake and did so by getting his man to strike out.
• LeCure pitched the 8th and gave up one hit while striking out two.
• Aroldis Chapman: Pitched the 9th in a non-save situation
• Bad News: Gave up a hit and walked a batter.
• Good News: Struck out two and threw the hardest he has all year as hit 100+ mph seven times against the final batter of the game. 
• Reds WIN!: Cincy has strung together five-straight wins (a season high) and sits eight games over .500 (a season high) at 24 wins and 16 losses. 
• According to the fellas over at Redleg Nation, the Reds didn't get to eight games over .500 until June 2, back in 2012.  So that's an interesting thought and certainly a reason to stay positive when you start to have your doubts about this year's club.

Game 39: Reds @ Marlins (Game 1/3: H.Bailey/R.Nolasco)

Bailey Throws Reds' First Complete Game of 2013; Reds Beat Struggling Marlins 6-2

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (23-16)  6 10 0
MIA (11-28) 2  6  0

W: Homer Bailey (2-3)
L: Rickey Nolasco (2-5)

Box Score

•   Bailey: 9.0 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 10 SO
• Superb outing for Homer the Lionkiller. 
• First Reds complete game this season and it took 39 games!
• Homer tossed up 125 pitches; more impressively, his final pitch of the night was clocked at 97 mph!  He really has evolved into some kind of force on the mound.
• Vottomatic: 3-for-4, RBI (16), and a walk
• Cozy: 2-for-5 with a double (5) and two runs scored
• BP: 2-for-4 with two RBI (33) and a walk
• Hanigan: 2-for-3 with a walk.  Ryan is coming back strong from injury.  This was much needed.
• XP: X-Man had a bases clearing double.  His fourth double and 11th, 12th, and 13th RBI
• Reds are looking good!  Seven games over .500

Game 38: Reds vs. Brewers (Game 3/3: B.Arroyo/W.Peralta)

Veteran Arroyo Snaps Losing Streak and Rookie Lutz Knocks First Big League Home Run; Reds Cruise to Sweep of the Brew Crew

By Ryan Bramwell

MIL (15-20) 1  7  2
CIN (22-16)  5  6  0

W: Bronson Arroyo (3-4)
L: Wily Peralta (3-3)

Box Score

• Arroyo: 6.2 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 SO
• Great bounceback outing for Bronson as he snaps his three game losing streak
• Donald Lutz: The rookie finally showed his power as he ripped a three-run homer that tallied most of the Reds runs for the day. Congratulations, Donald.
• XP: Paul also hit a pinch hit home run (2) that was creamed to right-center field
• Votto, Phillips, Bruce, and Arroyo all recorded a single on the night.
• Broxton: A little shaky tonight. Gave up a run on two hits in one inning pitched.
• Chapman: 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 SO
• Sweep!

Game 37: Reds vs. Brewers (Game 2/3: M.Latos/H.Burgos)

Bruce and Co. Fill Up the Scoreboard; Take Down Brewers Handily

By Ryan Bramwell

MIL (15-19)  7 11 1
CIN (21-16) 13 14 1

W: Mat Latos (4-0)
L: Hiram Burgos (1-1)

Box Score

• Mat Latos: 6.0 IP, 7 R (6ER), 9 H, 3 BB, 4 SO. 
• Mat's worst start this season.  But it's just dandy because the offense came to party in this one.
• Had two hits and two RBI (2) at the plate to help his own cause.
• Jay Bruce: 3-for-5, 2 doubles (12), a home run (3), two RBI (20).  Terrific game for Brucey.
• 2 hits: Votto, Frazier, Paul, Mesoraco
• Choo also had a double (10), walk, and two RBI (17)
• Bullpen: LeCure and Hoover combined for 3.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 SO

Game 36: Reds vs. Brewers (Game 1/3: T.Cingrani/Y.Gallardo)

The All-Brandon-Phillips-Show Shuts Down Brewers as Reds Take First Game of Series

By Ryan Bramwell

MIL (15-18)  3  8  0
CIN (20-16)  4  8  0

W: Alfredo Simon (3-1)
L: Yovani Gallardo (3-2)
S: Aroldis Chapman (8)

Box Score

• Phillips: Solid.
• 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run (6) and two RBI (31)
• Made one of the best defensive plays of the season so far when he turned a double play after barehanding a bad shorthopped ball and throwing to first base all while keeping a knee on second-base to get the force out and spinning on said knee to enable a quick toss to first-base to complete the double play.
• Bases on Balls: The Reds drew 9 walks including three from Choo and two apiece from Frazier and Votto
• Ryan Hanigan: Returned from injury today and went 2-for-4 at the plate.  Yay!

Game 35: Reds vs. Braves (Game 3/3: M.Leake/M.Minor)

Braves Put Up 5-Spot in the 8th Inning to Down Leake and the Reds

By Ryan Bramwell

ATL (20-13) 
CIN (19-16) 

W: Mike Minor (4-2)
L: Mike Leake (2-2)

Box Score

• Leake pitched 7.0 innings and was solid for all seven.  Then he pitched in the 8th and didn't record an out.
• The bullpen was bad.
• Home runs from Cozart (5) and Bruce (2)

Game 34: Reds vs. Braves (Game 2/3: H.Bailey/K.Medlen)

Best Game of the Year So Far! Reds Win in Dramatic Fashion After Hitting Back-to-Back Homers in the Bottom of the 9th

By Ryan Bramwell

ATL (19-13)  4  5  0
CIN (19-15)  5  9  0

W: Jonathan Broxton (1-1)
L: Craig Kimbrel (0-1)

Box Score

• Homer Bailey: 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 SO
• A bad first inning really set Homer back and caused him and his teammates to play from behind the rest of the game.
• Still, he pitched well after that.
• Bullpen: LeCure, Marshall and Broxton - 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 SO
• Magnificent work from the bullpen.  They held the Braves hitless over the final four frames.
• Choo: 2-for-5 with 2 home runs (7) and 2 RBI (15).
• Mesoraco: 1-for1 with a pinch-hit home run (1)
• Votto: 2-for-4 with his 8th double
• How it Happened:
• After the Reds scored a run in the 8th from a Brandon Phillips sac-fly, the score was 4-3. 
• Brox would pitch in the top of the 9th and notch a 1-2-3 inning. 
• In the bottom of the 9th, the Reds would have Jack Hannahan, Corky Miller, and the pitcher's spot due to bat.  One would think a manager would try to give his team its best chance to win in this situation, but not Dusty Baker.  He allowed for Hannahan and Miller to hit against the NL's most successful closer in Craig Kimbrel. 
• Hannahan strikes out looking. 1 out.
• Corky strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
• Then, Dusty sends Devin Mesoraco to the plate to bat for the pitcher -- a lot of us were getting concerned he wouldn't even make that subsitution at that point.
• Mesoraco, with a full count and 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, hit a line drive home run off a 96-mph fastball to tie the game four runs apiece.  Crowd goes wild.
• Shin-Soo Choo steps up to the plate and follows Meso's lead as he cranks a home run over the left-center field wall on a 96-mph 2-1 pitch from Kimbrel to send the Reds fans home happy. What a game. 

Game 33: Reds vs. Braves (Game 1/3: B.Arroyo/P.Maholm)

Braves Take Opener From Reds Behind Timely Hitting; Arroyo Handed Third Consecutive Loss

By Ryan Bramwell

ATL (19-12)  7 11 1
CIN (18-15)   4  9  1

W: Paul Maholm (4-3)
L: Bronson Arroyo (2-4)
S: Craig Kimbrel (10)

Box Score

• Arroyo: 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 7 SO
• Bronson has now lost three consecutive starts and sits at 2-4 on the year
• He wouldn't have factored into the decision if Logan Ondrusek hadn't have given up three runs in the 8th inning.  The Reds put up two runs in the bottom of the 8th, which would have made the score 4-4 had it not been for a disastrous top half of the inning.
• Ondrusek: See Above - Ugh.
• Coazrt: 2 hits including a double (4)
• Phillips: 2 hits including a double (8) and an RBI (28)
• Votto: Double (7), walk, run scored

Game 32: Reds @ Cubs (Game 3/3: M.Latos/E.Jackson)

Votto and Frazier Help Latos Stay Undefeated as Reds Roll Past Cubs in Chicago for Series Sweep.

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (18-14)  7  11  1
CHC (11-20) 4  8  1

Box Score

• Latos: 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 SO. 
• Not his best, but good enough. 
• In his seventh start of the 2013 season, this game marks the first time Latos didn't earn a quality start. 
• Votto: 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles (6), drove in an RBI (12) and scored a run
• Bruce: Hit his 9th double of the season and knocked in RBI number 15
• Frazier: 2 hits, a walk, 2 RBI (23)
• Choo: Had a pair of hits and a stolen base (3)
• Donald Lutz: A game of MLB firsts - 1st hit, 1st RBI, 1st stolen base

Game 31: Reds @ Cubs (Game 2/3: T.Cingrani/J.Samardzija)

Dear, Carlos Marmol: "Thank You." - From the Cincinnati Reds and Their Fans

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (17-14)   6  6  0
CHC (11-19)  4  3  1

W: Logan Ondrusek (2-0)
L: Carlos Marmol (2-2)
S: Aroldis Chapman (7)

Box Score

•  Tony Cingrani: 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO. 
• He didn't have his best stuff in this one, but he was still effective against nearly every Cub in Chicago's lineup
• Alfonso Soriano being the exception.  Soriano hit a 2-run homer in the first inning and another 2-run homer in the 3rd inning which accounted for all the Cubs' runs and Cingrani's only real mistakes in his six innings on the mound.
• Cingrani vs. Soriano = NOT GOOD
• Cingrani vs. All Cubs - Soriano = SPLENDIFEROUS
• Carlos Marmol: 0.0 IP (Pitched in 8th/No Outs Recorded), 3 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP.
• Yikes.
• With the Cubs leading 4-2 going into the top of the 8th, Reds fans were preparing themselves for a disturbing defeat against a very-not-good Cubs team.  Then, suddenly, there was hope.  Dave Sveum had sent Carlos Marmol to the mound to hold the lead for his Cubs. 
• Marmol proceeded to walk the first two batters he faced (Cozart and Votto).  And none of his pitches were even close to the strike zone. Brandon Phillips is up next and he goes hacking after the first pitch he sees as Marmol finally gets ones over the plate but the ball was fouled off.  Marmol was actually ahead of Brandon 1-2 in the count and then managed to hit Phillips with his next pitch.  Bases loaded.  Marmol booed and ousted.
• Rondon replaced Marmol and gave up a bloop single to Jay Bruce that scored Cozart and brought the Reds within one run with still nobody out.  Frazier then hit a sac-fly to tie the game.  XP (Xavier Paul) was walked intentionally.  Hannahan then drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run.  Finally, Mesoraco finished off the big inning with a sac-fly that put the Reds up 6-4 going into the bottom half of the 8th. 
• Choo: Homered (5) on the first pitch of the game. He also walked and scored twice.
• Votto: 2-for-4 with a double (4) and a walk.
• XP: Doubled (3), walked twice
• Cozart: 2 walks and a single.

Game 30: Reds @ Cubs (Game 1/3: M.Leake/C.Villanueva)

Leake Has Solid Outing While Getting Offensive Support; Chapman Catches Rare Case of 'Marmol-ism' in 9th, Reds Hold on

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (16-14) 6  9  0
CHC (11-18) 5 15 1

W: Mike Leake (2-1)
L: Carlos Villanueva (1-2)
S: J.J. Hoover (1)

Box Score

• Leake: 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 3 SO.  Not too shabby.  
• Doubles: Frazier (6), Paul (2), Bruce (8), Mesoraco (4), Choo (9) ...lots of two-base hits
• Votto and Choo both had two hits and scored twice.  Too bad Mario Mendoza bats between them...I'm sorry, I meant Zack Cozart.

Reds will go for two wins in a row on Saturday, when they send lefthanded rookie Tony Cingrani to the mound.  It won't be easy as the Cubs are bringing their A-game with Jeff Samardzija on the hill.

Game 29: Reds @ Cardinals (Game 3/3: H.Bailey/L.Lynn)

Wheels Fall Off in 6th Inning as Cardinals Take Series Over Reds, Increase Division Lead

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (15-14)  2  6  0
STL (16-11)  4 10 1

W: Lance Lynn (5-0)
L: Homer Bailey (1-3)
S: Edward Mujica (6)

Box Score

• Bailey was mostly super through five innings of work...but then just couldn't get it done in the 6th inning.
• Brandon Phillips was the Reds offense as he doubled (7) and homered (5) while collecting two RBI (26)
• Jay Bruce hit a triple.

Let's move on...

Game 28: Reds @ Cardinals (Game 2/3: B.Arroyo/J.Garcia)

Garcia Stymies Reds Bats as Cards Win in Pitcher's Duel, 2-1.

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (15-13)  1  7  0
STL (15-11)  2  7  0

W: Jaime Garcia (3-1)
L: Bronson Arroyo (2-3)
S: Edward Mujica (5)

Box Score

• Bronson: 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 0 SO.  That's a quality start.  Bronson was very-quality thru six innings...then he pitched in the seventh inning after that.  Either way, it's unfortunate.  The offense should have helped Arroyo to at least a ND in this one.  
• Nothing else good really happened...

One more game at Busch Stadium III and then we head to the north side of Chicago for some much needed R&R

Game 27: Reds @ Cardinals (Game 1/3 - M.Latos/A.Wainwright)

Latos Earns Second Straight Win With Terrific Performance; Reds Hold Off Rival Cards 2-1 in St. Louis

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (15-12)  2  6  0
STL (14-11)  1  7  0

W: Mat Latos (2-0)
L: Adam Wainwright (4-2)
S: Aroldis Chapman (6)

Box Score

• Latos: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 SO.  Not brilliant, but very solid against a tough lineup on the road.  Mat has been dominant in every start thus far.
• Votto had a pair of hits as he continues to bolster his batting average of late
• Frazier and Choo both had doubles.

I wish we could just leave St. Louis while we are ahead.  Weren't we just in St. Louis not too long ago?  When do the WLBs come to Cincy?  Ridiculous scheduling.

Game 26: Reds @ Nationals (Game 4/4 - T.Cingrani/R.Detwiler)

Tony Cingrani Helps Reds Avoid Sweep in DC; Rookie Lefthander Making Case for Rotation Spot

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (14-12)  5 11 1
WAS (13-12) 2  5  2

W: Tony Cingrani (2-0)
L: Ross Detwiler (1-2)
S: Aroldis Chapman (5)

Box Score

• Tony Cingrani: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 11 SO.  Beautiful.  
• The rookie is really proving himself and can say that he has now done so against a formidable lineup (1st two starts were vs. Marlins and Cubs).  
• He struck out 11 Nationals!  He walked only one.
• Cingrani struck out four batters in the 4th inning!  A very rare feat indeed.  A dropped third strike led to this outcome if you were wondering how it were possible.
• Coming off the heels of another poor outing from Mike Leake, Cingrani is making quite the case to replace him in the rotation when Johnny Cueto returns from injury.
• 3 GS, 18.0 IP, 3 ER, 12 H, 4 BB, 28 SO.  2-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, .188 BAA.  Astounding.
• Cozart, Votto and Bruce all notched a pair of hits
• Votto doubled (3) for the second-straight night

Back on the smiling side of the scoreboard!  Now it's off to St. Louis...

Game 25: Reds @ Nationals (Game 3/4 - M.Leake/D.Haren)

Nats Take First Three Games in Home Series Behind Haren and Harper; Reds Finally Show Signs of Offense

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (13-12)  3  9  1
WAS (13-11) 6 10 1

W: Dan Haren (2-3)
L: Mike Leake (1-1)
S: Rafael Soriano (7)

Box Score

• Leake wasn't sharp as he lasted only three innings on the mound while giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits.
• Phillips had three hits
• Choo homered (4) and walked
• Votto doubled (2)