Cincinnati Reds Sweep Chicago Cubs
By Jesse Mapati
May 5, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo (17) is congratulated by first baseman Joey Votto (19) after scoring during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
After, going 2-5 through the first two cities on the 10 game road trip in Washington D.C. and St. Louis. They came to Chicago to take on a Cubs team who are in the bottom of the NL Central and this was a perfect opportunity for this team to get a sweep in this series and they did by winning today 7-4 on Sunday afternoon in Wrigley Field ending the 10 game road trip with a 5-5 record and with the win Reds have won 9 straight games in the friendly confines.
Mat Latos the starter today has been pitching great to start the season had a okay outing but didn’t get a quality start for the first time this season as he only lasted 5 innings with a line of giving up three runs on six hits, three walks and six strikeouts but he did get the win as he left with the lead and knowing Latos he will take a W any day than a quality start streak but i know he wanted go deep into the game today. His career high scoreless inning streak ended in the fifth inning when the Cubs scored three runs in the inning.
Scoreless game heading in to the top of the fourth inning the Reds began to hit off Edwin Jackson starter for the Cubs today. Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips hit back to back singles to start, then Jay Bruce hit a RBI double to get the first run of the game on the board for the Reds. Todd Frazier with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out hit a two run single to make it 3- 0 at that point.
In the fifth inning, Shin-Shoo Choo leadoff with a single, stole second, and then advance to third by a error by the catcher. Zack Cozart sac-fly scored Choo to make it 4-0.
Then in the bottom of the inning Latos was in a huge jam. He gave up back to back singles. Then Alfonso Soriano hit a pop out to center, Choo came running in for the ball as Brandon Phillips went back. They both collided and Choo got the worst of it as the ball hit him in the lip area as the ball went off Brandon’s glove. Reds trainer came out to look at both of them before they resume back to game action. They ruled it a two run double for Soriano as the lead was cut to 4-2. Phillips left the game in the bottom of eighth inning when he was scene limping to second and Dusty notice it and got him out of there.
Cubs scored another run in the inning with a RBI single lead as the lead suddenly was cut to 4-3. Latos then left after he got the final out in the bottom of the fifth inning due to high pitch count and unfortunate events on the outfield.
Reds add two more runs in the top of seventh inning as Votto nearly missed hitting a three run homerun but got a RBI double to score Donald Lutz who we congratulate on getting his first major league hit in the inning. Then Phillips hit a sac-fly to score Coazrt.
Cubs added a run in the bottom inning off of reliever Sam LeCure on a groundout that made it 7-4 Reds and that was final scoring for the Cubs in the game.
JJ Hoover came in to close as Aroldis Chapman was not available after going for the first 2 games but due to the high pitch count spend by him on Friday Dusty rested his closer on this getaway game. Hoover ran into trouble by putting the first two base runners on with no outs but was able to get the final three outs on pop outs to secure his second save of the series.
The Reds ended their 10 game road trip through D.C., St. Louis, and Chicago 5-5 and will head back home to start a 6 game home stand tomorrow night at Great American Ball Park where they are 12- 4 there and will host the Atlanta Braves to kick it off. First pitch is at 7:10pm tomorrow go out and support the Redlegs!