Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 5
Los Angeles 2
WP: Arroyo (14-7)
LP: Kershaw (11-8)
S: Cordero (34)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Bronson Arroyo rose to the occasion, tossing seven strong innings, giving up seven hits and allowing only two runs, while striking out six. Great, great effort from Bronson today.
–Joey Votto was 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. Most impressive was Votto’s AB in the ninth inning against Dodger reliever Jonathon Broxton. Votto got into an 0-2 hole quickly, before fighting back to run the count full. On the 10th pitch of the at-bat, Votto lined a single that scored two and gave the Reds some breathing room. That was an MVP at-bat for Votto.
–Excellent day for Brandon Phillips, who went 4-5.
–Brilliant relief work from Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero to shut down the Dodgers.
NEGATIVES
–NONE.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–With that win today, the Reds have guaranteed a winning west coast road trip. I cannot believe I just typed those words.
–The Reds maintained their 3 1/2-game lead in the NL Central, as St. Louis won today, too. Cincinnati has won 8 of their last 9 games, and the good guys head to San Francisco next for a series with playoff implications written all over it.
–This was Arroyo’s 100th big league victory.
–That was a good win against a very good pitcher. More, please.
–I expect to hear the M-V-P chant for Joey Votto when the Reds return home later this week.
–Who is having fun being a Reds fan right now?
–Cincinnati’s magic number has dropped to 37. Wow.
Joey Votto