After trying baseball for a game without hitting a couple home runs, the Cincinnati Reds decided their project worked better with the long ball, as Joey Votto, Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce continue to carry the team’s offense. The latter two homered and Votto scored the easy way on both. Michael Lorenzen did his thing as the Reds won the series against Mat Latos’ Marlins.
Reds 5, Marlins 2 | FanGraphs Game Info | Vote Frazier
What began a shaky start for Michael Lorenzen became an excellent appearance. The 23-year-old right-hander went seven full innings, striking out five and walking one (intentional). In the fourth inning, Lorenzen struck out Jeff Mathis looking with runners at second and third and one out, allowing him to work out of trouble. Cutting down on walks and increasing strikeouts are important indicators for Lorenzen.
Lorenzen got help from his teammates in the fifth inning on a tremendous relay by Billy Hamilton and Eugenio Suarez to Brayan Peña to nail Dee Gordon at the plate in the fifth inning. Hamilton fielded a double off the centerfield fence, turned and threw a strike to Suarez who flashed a strong arm with a strike to home. Gordon took the chance with no outs and the #3 and #4 hitters coming up.
Hamilton + Suarez + Pena = OUT at the dish. #ASGWorthy #VoteReds pic.twitter.com/er92hk47iz
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 21, 2015
Lorenzen chipped in at the plate with a two-out, line-drive opposite-field single driving in the Reds fifth run.
If you’re a regular reader of this website, you know that Homer Bailey is my favorite player. I’ve been heartsick to not see him play every fifth game. But watching the Reds new pitchers, particularly Michael Lorenzen, has gone a long way to make up for it.
Joey Votto extended his streak to 29 games for getting on base. Todd Frazier followed up Votto’s walk by depositing his 23rd home run of the season into the first row of the right-centerfield stands. Marlon Byrd and Suarez each had three hits.
J.J. Hoover has now gone two months without giving up an earned run. He mowed down the #3-#4-#5 hitters in the Marlins lineup, including striking out Giancarlo Stanton.
Another 3-run save opportunity for Aroldis Chapman. The game situation in Chapman’s last 11 appearances: Reds ahead by 3, ahead by 3, ahead by 4, ahead by 2, ahead by 4, ahead by 3, ahead by 3, ahead by 1, tie game, ahead by 3 and ahead by 3. /waves tiny “closer rules” pennant/
And the Cardinals lost. Happy Father’s Day everyone!