Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL — 10 innings
Cincinnati 5
Miami 3
W: A. Chapman (3-1)
L: S. Cishek (1-4)
S: J. Hoover (3)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Very strong start, once again, for Mat Latos: 8.1 innings, two runs allowed on four hits and a walk. Latos’ ERA is now down to 2.91 this season.
–Jay Bruce was 2-4 with a double, a walk, and three RBI (including two in the tenth inning). Bruce is heating up, and his hot streaks are more fun to watch than anyone else’s.
–Shin-Soo Choo reached base three times, because that’s what great leadoff hitters are supposed to do, you know.
–Brandon Phillips hit a homer, and drove in two runs. One of the RBI came on a sac fly in the tenth, with the game tied 2-2. BP, of course, leads the NL in RBI. That will happen when you hit behind Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Votto.
–Donald Lutz got the game-winning rally started with a leadoff, pinch-hit single in the top of the tenth inning.
NEGATIVES
–Aroldis Chapman blew the save opportunity by allowing a two-out run-scoring triple in the ninth. On the other hand, he threw five pitches 100 MPH or higher, so nothing’s wrong with his arm.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–Two straight sweeps!
–That’s six wins in a row, and ten of twelve, for the mighty Redlegs. Cincinnati is now 25-16; that’s pretty good, if you were wondering.
–The Reds have blown three saves this season, and all have come at the expense of Mat Latos. Unfortunate, especially since Latos has pitched so well this year.
–Dusty. I will never approve of the sac bunt when it gives away a free out and takes the bat out of Joey Votto’s hands, as happened in the tenth tonight. I will never be convinced that it’s a good strategy. Feel free to disagree, but I’m not changing my mind on this one.
–It’s fun when the Reds are on a roll, huh?
We love it when the Reds go. Go Reds.
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) May 17, 2013
If A. Chapman blows a few more leads perhaps the Reds will demote him to the starting rotation.
— Old Hoss Radbourn (@OldHossRadbourn) May 17, 2013
I hope Dusty Baker gives the Marlins a free out, so that they can take the bat out of Joey Votto’s hands here. Love that play.
— Chad Dotson (@dotsonc) May 17, 2013
Yeah, I know we all like hammering Dusty, but I’m glad he trusts JJ Hoover over Jonathan Broxton.
— Chad Dotson (@dotsonc) May 17, 2013
Love the idea that these 3 guys play for my favorite team. #reds twitter.com/cgarber8/statu…
— Chris Garber (@cgarber8) May 17, 2013
…and this one belongs to the Reds!
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) May 17, 2013