Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
San Diego 4
Cincinnati 6
W: B. Arroyo (7-6)
L: K. Wells (2-4)
S: A. Chapman (23)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–The Cincinnati Reds still have the best record in the entire major leagues. Are you not entertained?
–Ryan Ludwick was the star again, with his second consecutive 4-RBI game. He was 3-4 with a two-run homer in the first inning. Drew Stubbs was 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
–Jonathan Broxton made his first appearance since being traded to Cincinnati yesterday. I don’t know anything about pitching, but I know he looked pretty good tonight. A fastball that sat at 94-95, with good breaking stuff. I’ll take that every night.
–Sean Marshall settled into his new role as the seventh inning guy (sigh…) by twirling a perfect inning.
–Wilson Valdez batted twice and walked twice. He left the game early, however, with “neck stiffness.” Will the Reds play with a 23-man roster tomorrow?
NEGATIVES
–None. (Well, Zack Cozart made an error, and there was some horrendous baserunning. Who cares?)
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–The new streak begins, and it’s at two in a row. Still three games up on second-place Pittsburgh, and 22 games over .500. This is crazy fun.
–Nineteen wins in 22 games; 12 of their last 13. Since Votto’s injury: 13-3. I almost can’t believe this is happening.
–Bronson Arroyo had nothing tonight, yet he somehow gutted through six innings. Don’t ask me to explain how he did it.
–On the season, Ludwick is hitting .264/.333/.555 with 19 homers and 56 RBI. I’m astounded.
–Marshall, Broxton, Aroldis Chapman: three shutout innings. Pretty impressive debut for the new-look back of the bullpen.
–I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the Reds aren’t doing Zack Cozart any favors by hitting him leadoff. The rookie just isn’t ready for it, or capable of handling it. He did hit a leadoff homer tonight, which was great, but the kid’s OBP is .287, for crying out loud.
Put Cozart at seventh or eighth in the lineup, and I’d be very happy indeed.
–Let me repeat myself: The Reds have the best record in all of baseball. (Insert smiley-face here.)
Source: FanGraphs