Reds Fall To Dodgers In Pitching Duel.

Coming into to the game last night this was viewed as a great pitching match-up between Reds Homer Bailey who has pitched a no hitter this season and Dodgers ace Clayton Kerhsaw who has the best ERA in baseball that is under two and you argue hes the best pitcher in baseball it sure live up to it as both pitchers were outstanding but Kershaw was a little better and got enough runs as the Reds fall 2-1 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium in California.

Both offenses were held in check through the first five innings, both pitchers had to work to get out of trouble. Kershaw

Jul 25, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo (17) during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

started the top of fourth with allowing a lead off double to Chris Heisey but was able to get the next three batters including a strikeout out to Jay Bruce to end the inning as the Reds missed a big opportunity.

In the bottom inning of the fourth, Bailey got out of trouble thanks to good pitching and defense. With runners on third and first and one out, Juan Uribe fly a ball to right field. Bruce made a great throw, catcher Corky Miller spun around with a tag attempt as Hanley Ramirez went past him. At first the umpire initially gave the safe sign, but credit Miller for staying with the play and lunged to tag him out as Ramirez clearly missed the plate to end the inning. Probably one of the most entertaining plays at the plate you will see.

In the sixth inning, Dodgers got to Bailey as Ramirez homered to left field for a two run shot to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. After that Bailey retired his final six batters of the game before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth. Since his no hitter on July 2nd against the Giants he is 0-4 with a 4.68 ERA. The loss put his season overall record to  5-10 with a solid 3.77 ERA as the offense continues not to get him any runs at all.

Reds offense finally got on the board in the top of seventh inning , Brandon Phillips doubled down the right field line with one out and scored as Jay Bruce singled to center to make it 2-1. Bruce moved to second on a wild pitch but  Todd Frazier struck out and Zack Cozart grounded out to end the inning.

Kershaw came on for the eighth inning as he gave up a one out double off the third base bag to pinch hitter Derrick Robinson. He got Shin Soo- Choo to bounce the ball back to the mound and Heisey to popped out to end the inning and a missed opportunity. Reds had nothing going in ninth as their 3-4-5 hitters were set down in order by Dodgers closer Keniey Jensen.

It was tough loss for this ballclub, because they had a big chance to gain ground on the Cardinals and Pirates as the both lost on the same day as it stands the Reds still trail the Cardinals by five games in the NL Central. They are 4-2 on the 11 game west coast road trip so far with two more in Los Angeles. Tonight it will be Bronson Arroyo for the Reds and Hyun-Jim-Ryu for the Dodgers. First pitch is at 9:10pm.