Positives

–The Reds looked dead in the water, down 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh. One thing we must learn: this team is never dead in the water.

–Ryan Ludwick began the seventh by reaching on a two-base throwing error by Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez (who had hit a three-run bomb earlier to give the Pirates a big lead). One out later, Ramon Santiago doubled Ludwick home and the comeback was on. After a Donald Lutz single, Billy Hamilton drove in Santiago on a groundout. The score was 5-3.

One inning later, Devin Mesoraco hit a two-out solo homer to draw the Reds within a single run. Ludwick singled, Chris Heisey singled, and Santiago drove in the tying run with a single back up the middle. One batter later, Brayan Pena singled to center to give the Reds a lead they would not relinquish.

–In the ninth, Aroldis Chapman was simply dominant. Again. Chapman struck out the side, ending the game on a 103-mph fastball.

–Santiago was 3-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Billy Hamilton also had three hits, scored one, and drove in one. Ryan Ludwick was 2-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Negatives

–Curtis Partch got the win despite walking the bases loaded in his only inning of work.

–Today’s injury victim: Mat Latos. Latos wasn’t particularly effective in his five innings of work (in which he allowed four runs, three earned), and he left the game with back spasms. Add Latos to the list of walking wounded. This is getting to be pretty ludicrous.

–Jay Bruce made an error at first base. It’s almost like he’s never played the position before.

Not so random thoughts….

–The Reds have won seven of their last nine games. At the moment, the Reds are tied with St. Louis for second place, two games behind Milwaukee. As this post is published, the Cards and Brewers are tied at 6 in the seventh inning. However that game plays out, the Reds will either be 1.5 games out of first or alone in second place at the end of the day. Not bad.

–If you want to know why Billy Hamilton may be the most exciting player in the baseball, look no further than this first-inning play that ultimately led to the first Cincinnati run of the game. The things Hamilton can do are just absurd. Color me amazed.

–It’s Ramon Santiago’s world, we’re all just living in it.

–With his first strikeout of the ninth, Chapman broke the all-time MLB record for relievers by recording at least one strikeout in 40 consecutive games. Step aside, Bruce Sutter.

–Cincinnati’s heroes tonight were Santiago, Ludwick, and Pena. Are you kidding me?