Chapman Blows Save, Reds Fall 7-6

A night after the Cincinnati Reds pulled a close 2-1 victory out of the first game of the series against the Milwaukee Brewers they

Aug 16, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier (right) reacts with first base coach Billy Hatcher (left) after hitting a single to drive in a run in the 7th inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

returned to Miller Park Friday night looking to continue their hot streak. Unfortunately that did not happen as Aroldis Chapman gave up a walk off 2 run home run sending the Reds back to the hotel losers 7-6.

Mike Leake took the mound for the Reds Friday night, after a strong outing from Tony Cingrani the night before Leake looked to replicate that but go further in the game. Leake didn’t go as deep as Cingrani, 5IP isn’t idea. Dusty pulled Leake in favor of Alfredo Simon in the 6th. Simon has been great recently, in fact the entire bullpen has been. Leake had a decent outing though 5Ip, 4 ER off 9H, not a great stat line but not awful.

The bullpen for the Reds has deserved a round of applause recently. JJ Hoover hasn’t allowed a run since June 9th when he was lit up by the St. Louis Cardinals, that is 25.1 innings, outstanding. Jonathan Broxton has returned from the DL to be great for the bullpen as well.

Friday night though Aroldis Chapman got caught. Fastball after fastball won’t continue to work regardless if it is 103mph or not. Chapman has a great breaking ball but relies entirely too much on the fastball. Friday night Chapman was burning fastballs, unfortunately he threw one too many and Jonathan Lucroy took him yard for a two run homer. That is Chapman’s 3rd blown save in three months, one a month is fine Reds fans so please, put down the pitchforks.

Offensively Cincinnati showed up. No one on the team is necessarily setting the world on fire from a BA standpoint but getting on base scores runs and that is what the Reds are doing. Everyone seems to be getting hits when the team needs them, hits that are driving in runs.

Todd Frazier had a huge night going 3 for 3, 4 RBI with 1 HR. Frazier broke his slump a few games ago and thankfully it seems to be over. Wife Jacqueline was in attendance, maybe she should attend every game, talking to you front office make it happen. Behind Frazier Joey Votto, Shin Soo Choo and Brandon Phillips all had two hits. Getting on base is key for the Reds and they have been doing it a lot recently.

Cincinnati returns to Miller Park Saturday at 7:10ET. Mat Latos is throwing for the Reds, Latos has been on fire of recent, tune in.