Titanic Struggle Recap: Latos and Chapman (plus a little Ondrusek) equal a happy Redleg Nation

Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….

FINAL
Atlanta 3
Cincinnati 4
W: M. Latos (3-2)
L: B. Beachy (5-2)
S: A. Chapman (2)
BOX SCORE

POSITIVES
–Hey, there’s the Mat Latos we were hoping to see this year. Latos went 7 strong innings, surrendering just two runs on five hits. He struck out 8 and walked just one. Nice. Yeah, he threw 116 pitches, but Latos was still throwing 95 mph in the 7th inning. Love this kid.

–We talked earlier today about how the Reds really need Brandon Phillips to get hot if they want this offense to start turning things around. BP responded tonight with two homers and 3 RBI.

–Zack Cozart homered for the second straight game.

–Aroldis Chapman was just brilliant in the ninth, striking out two and picking up his second save. Completely dominating. He’s good. Have you noticed that?

NEGATIVES
–None.

NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–That’s four straight wins for the Redlegs, coming against two pretty good teams. I don’t think you could be more pleased with the way Cincinnati has started this homestand. Four games over .500 is the high-water mark for the Reds this season.

–In a battle of two of the better young pitchers in the National League. Mat Latos came out on top. Me likey.

Hey, Brandon Beachy and your league-leading ERA. Welcome to Cincinnati.

— Chad Dotson (@dotsonc) May 23, 2012

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–Remember when we were urging everyone to be patient with Latos? Well, as Doug Gray points out, since May began, Latos has pitched 23 innings with a 2.35 ERA, and he’s won three straight games. The kid is good.

–Phillips had two homers on the season before today; he doubled that total tonight. First BP homers since April 24. Ugh.

–Watching Chapman strike out Jason Heyward on a 100-mph fastball made my day.

–Before tonight, Beachy had surrendered just one homer: to Matt Kemp. Tonight: 3 homers allowed. Last time Beachy allowed more than one homer in a game? Last July…at Great American Ballpark.

–Kudos to any of you who get this reference without googling it:

#Reds lead 4-3 as we head to the 9th. Aroldis Chapman slowly walks to the mound, an Ennio Morricone film score playing in the background.

— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) May 23, 2012

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–Let’s get that series win tomorrow, Redlegs!