Daily Archives: September 4, 2012

September 4, 2012

Game 136: Phillies 4, Reds 2

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W: Cloyd (1-1) L: Cueto (17-7) S: Aumont (1)

Boxscore

Denis Phipps tries to break up a double play.  (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)The Reds lost a disappointing series opener against the Phillies yesterday by a score of 4-2.

Johnny Cueto was pitching for the Reds and had a pretty poor outing by his standards. In 7.0 innings of work, he allowed 4 runs (earned) on 8 hits. Two of those were home runs: one to Jimmy Rollins with 2 guys on in the fifth and a solo shot to John Mayberry in the sixth.

If he’d gotten the win, it would have been a big deal, since no Red has gotten to 18 wins since I was in high school. I guess he’ll have to wait another 5 days for that.

J.J. Hoover and Logan Ondrusek each put in a hitless inning of work to follow up Cueto’s performance. Good for them. It’s nice to know the Phillies can’t just beat up on everybody on the Reds’ roster.

Jay Bruce was the sole provider of the RBI. He hit a home run in the second inning and tried to keep a rally going with 2 outs in the ninth by knocking in Ryan Ludwick. But alas, that’s all that ever came of the offensive threat.

In addition to Bruce’s 2 hits, Ludwick also went 2-for-4, and Todd Frazier and Brandon Phillips each had a hit. September call-up Denis Phipps pinch hit in the eighth and walked.

The loss brings the Reds’ record to 82-54. Today they continue the series when Mat Latos (RHP, 11-4, 3.79 ERA) tries his hand against Kyle Kendrick (RHP, 8-9, 4.01 ERA) for the Phillies. First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

September 4, 2012

Reds no longer own MLB’s best record

Cueto and Hernandez warming up before the gameLast Game
The Reds yesterday started a series with the Phillies, and it didn’t go so well. Johnny Cueto was rolling right along, but then suddenly, with 2 outs in the bottom of the fifth, he gave up a couple of singles and then a home run to Jimmy Rollins. Those 3 runs were all the Phillies would need, but they ended up with one more to win 4-2.

Next Game
Today the Reds try to bounce back. Mat Latos (RHP, 11-4, 3.79 ERA) defends against Kyle Kendrick (RHP, 8-9, 4.01 ERA). Both guys are doing well lately, so it ought to be a hard-fought contest. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.

Record Perspective
The Reds’ loss yesterday combined with the Cardinals’ win brings their lead in the NLC down to 8.5 games. They’ve played 2 more games than the Nationals and lost both of them, so they no longer have the best record in baseball, either.

It’s hardly the brink of disaster, I suppose, but it’s kind of hard to get excited about taking 2-of-3 from the Astros when you’re used to the team setting the world on fire.

Here’s something to help you keep a little perspective: if the Reds play .500 baseball for the rest of the season, the Cardinals would have to go 22-5 just to tie. The Pirates would have to go 25-3.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Reds’ Rookie of the Year candidate (one of them, at least), Todd Frazier has a 26-game hitting streak going. Two more games, and he’ll tie Joey Votto’s 28-game hitting streak from earlier this season.

At this rate, he’ll beat that record before Votto returns to the line-up.