Titanic Struggle Recap: Bronson-mania

Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….

FINAL
Cincinnati 3
Philadelphia 2
W: B. Arroyo (10-7)
L: V. Worley (6-9)
S: A. Chapman (31)
BOX SCORE

POSITIVES
–Outstanding performance by Bronson Arroyo tonight. Arroyo pitched into the ninth, allowing two runs on just three hits. Arroyo struck out four and didn’t walk a better. Masterful.

This is the Bronson Arroyo that became my favorite player a few years ago. Changing arm angles, moving the ball all over the zone. Fun to watch.

–Jay Bruce homered and tripled. He’s now hitting .260/.337/.528 on the season.

–Ryan Hanigan reached base three times again: 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. Hanigan is hitting .293 with a .379 OBP. Are you kidding me?

–Ryan Ludwick and Zack Cozart each had two hits.

–With the game at 3-1 in the eighth inning, and two runners on base, Cozart and Brandon Phillips turned a gorgeous double play to end the inning. Cozart ranged deep behind second base, flipped to BP, who bare-handed the ball and threw a strike to first. Good stuff.

–Aroldis Chapman is good.

NEGATIVES
–Scott Rolen made a rare error, but it was a tough play. Hopper to third took a strange bounce after hitting the lip of the infield grass.

On a related note, it doesn’t seem possible that Rolen has made nine errors this year.

NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–Another nice win for the ol’ Redlegs. That’s ten wins in thirteen games; 26-11 since Joey Votto last played.

–Pittsburgh lost, so Cincinnati’s lead in the NL Central will be at least 8 games, and maybe 8.5. Crazy.

–A lot of people will question Dusty’s decision to permit Arroyo to come out for the ninth inning. No question that Arroyo has had trouble late in games, but I think I would have done the same thing Baker did. Arroyo had only thrown 83 pitches through eight innings. Give him a shot to finish it.

Then, after a dinky little infield hit, Dusty brought on Chapman to finish things. Baker played that exactly correct.

–Arroyo is the fourth Reds pitcher to win ten games this year. I’m impressed daily with the work we’ve seen from this starting rotation all year long.

–Aroldis tied Rob Dibble and John Franco in the Reds record book tonight:

#Reds beat the Phillies, 3-2. Arroyo 8+ip, 3h. Chapman ties club record with 23rd consecutive save conversion.

— Reds (@Reds) August 23, 2012

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–Johnny Cueto takes the mound tomorrow, giving the Reds a good chance to win three of four from the Phils. Me like.