Boxscore

And just like that, another winning streak can begin.

Last night, the Cincinnati Reds bounced back a game after losing their 6-game winning streak and went on an offensive tear. The team hit 3 home runs. Chris Heisey, his second in as many games, hit a 3-run shot for the early lead in the first inning. Devin Mesoraco hit a solo shot in the 4th. And Ryan Ludwick contributed his own 3-run homer of the pinch-hit variety in the 7th.

The 7 runs provided by that barrage were more than enough to win the game, no thanks to another crappy starting performance by Mike Leake. Although in his last start, he was good, this time, not so much. Over 3 2/3 innings, Leake wasn’t fooling anyone. He allowed 3 runs on 9 hits.

Manager Dusty Baker had him on a short leash, though, removing him for J. J. Hoover in the 4th. That move worked, as the bullpen turned in another of its excellent outings. Hoover threw scoreless 1 1/3 innings for the win. He was followed with scoreless turns by Same LeCure, Logan Ondrusek, and Sean Marshall.

Thanks to a St. Louis Cardinals loss, the Reds picked added a game to their first place lead. I think the season can be called off now, right? It’s almost Memorial Day. No team has ever come back when not in first place by Memorial Day.

There is another game today, though. Mat Latos takes to the mound at 1:10pm EDT. The Rockies will counter with a player twice as old as Latos in Jamie Moyer. The Reds will be going for the series win.