Reds Beat Cardinals 4-2
By Matt Niehaus
For the first time in three games the Reds won and for the third time this season the Reds beat the Cardinals. Saturday night in
Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati the Reds powered past the Cardinals led by the bats of Jay Bruce and Devin Mesoraco and the strong arm of Mat Latos and Aroldis Chapman.
Mat Latos has been the workhorse of the Reds staff this season and arguably the ace of the staff as well. Latos went 7 innings Saturday night allowing 8 hits, 2 earned runs and 5 strikeouts. The offense came through and got Latos his 6th win of the season improving his record to 6-0. Latos is the best pitcher on the staff at the moment.
The offense for the Reds came through huge today for Latos and the rest of the club. Dusty Baker decided to mix up the order by moving Zach Cozart down to the 8 slot and moving Derrick Robinson to the number 2 slot. The mixt up didn’t work well for Cozart who went hitless on the night but it worked out well for Robinson who went 2-4 on the night.
As for the run scoring the Reds did tonight, the big bat of Jay Bruce and tied up the game in the second inning, from there the Cardinals took back the lead until Devin Mesoraco went yard once again tying the game.
All Star Joey Votto doubled in the 6th inning driving Robison in, Votto then advanced to third on an error. With the lead at 3-2 Mesoraco came back up and singled to left driving in Joey Votto setting the score at 4-2. From there Reds pitching took over.
Latos was pulled after the 7th and made way for set up man Jonathan Broxton who walked one batter but then got out of the inning, unfortunately he made everyone sweat a little. After Broxton was able to safely close out the 8th that made way for none other than Aroldis Chapman. Chapman came into the game, allowed a hit but managed to get all other batters to ground out or fly out.
There was a bit of controversy on the last out, it was a grounder to Zach Cozart who threw a little off the bag to first where it appeared Votto’s foot was off the bag, good thing for the Reds the first base ump ruled it as an out. Much to the displeasure of Cardinals manager Mike Mathaney who came out to argue, to no avail I add.
The Reds won, and did it off talent and strategy. For once I get to write an article praising the Reds and not one mention of Dusty Bakers inability to manage. As one friend said this is a milestone moment for me.
The Reds and Cardinals face off tomorrow on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, the pitching matchup will be Lance Lynn v. Bronson Arroyo.