Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati Reds 5
New York Yankees 2
W: J. Cueto (5-1)
L: C.C. Sabathia (5-2)
S: A. Chapman (1)
Box Score
POSITIVES
—-Johnny Cueto. What can you say at this point? he gave up 2 runs over 7+. His ERA is 1.97. I still don’t know how he does it.
–Nifty defense today. I know the Reds’ defense hasn’t been exactly what we’ve wanted it to be, but today it was excellent. The double plays, in particular, contributed to Cueto’s good day.
–Ryan Hanigan does not hit a lot of home runs, so it’s good that he timed his first one so well.
–Other Ryan (that would be Ludwick) drove in three runs today and was 3-5. That’s his best day as a Red so far, right?
–The bullpen. I don’t like Chapman as a closer because I think he should be starting, but you could do a whole lot worse in the 9th.
NEGATIVES
–I could put Heisey here. He has a rough day at the plate, but, you know, C.C. Sabathia is good. This was a well-played game by the Reds. No legit complaints here.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–The Reds went 4-3 on a road trip against the Braves, Mets, and Yankees. You’ll take that every time. Four more coming up against Atlanta and then the schedule lightens up a bit (12 straight games against teams under .500) after what has been a pretty difficult stretch.
–I hope Dusty doesn’t turn Marshall into a LOOGY. That would be a giant waste. Similarly, I hope the Reds don’t make Chapman a permanent closer. That would also be a giant waste.
–Cards play the Dodgers tonight, if the lose, the Reds will be half a game out of first. If they win, Reds are a game and a half out. Not bad.