Daily Archives: October 3, 2012

October 3, 2012

Game 161: Reds 3, Cardinals 1

By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:27 am

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Reds (97-64)000102000389
Cardinals (87-74)100000000160
W: Latos (14-4) L: Carpenter (0-2) S: Chapman (38)

Boxscore

Scott Rolen rounds third after his game-tying home run.

With the Washington Nationals winning, the Cincinnati Reds had to win to still have a chance at home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Things didn’t start well.

With the exception of a Joey Votto walk–naturally–the Reds went through the first inning weakly. Then Mat Latos took the mound and allowed a double to the first batter he faced, Jon Jay. An out later, Jay scored thanks to a sacrifice fly by Carlos Beltran. Just like that, the Reds were down 1-0.

But Latos settled down. And the offense woke up. A little.

Scott Rolen homered in the 4th inning to tie the game. Then in the 6th inning, Votto lead off with another walk. Ryan Ludwick doubled to center field. Then Jay Bruce drove in Votto with a single for the lead. An out later, Dioner Navarro hit another single to give the Reds an insurance run.

Latos was pulled after pitching 5 innings. He allowed 1 run, 4 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 4 in picking up his 14th win. The early exit was due to not wearing him out before the playoffs.

The bullpen was more than up to the task of keeping the Cardinals off the board. Sam LeCure fulfilled the long-relief role before handing it over to the Reds’ three closers. Sean Marshall, Jonathan Broxton, and Aroldis Chapman closed it out. That is one fine trio to have heading into the playoffs.

For home-field advantage, the Nationals have to lose today, and the Reds have to win. Homer Bailey will be hoping to do that when he starts the last game of the regular season at 8:15pm.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Game Wrap, NL Central, St. Louis Cardinals.
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October 3, 2012

Cueto could still pitch in #1 seed game

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:08 am

Latos winds up to deliver the first pitchLast Game
The Reds continue to have a chance at the top seed in the National League after beating the Cardinals last night, 3-1. If the Reds win today and the Nationals lose, the Reds can claim the top spot for their own.

Mat Latos started and allowed the Cardinals’ 1 run during his brief 5 innings of work. I imagine his outing was so short just because they didn’t want to wear him out; he wasn’t pitching badly.

The trio of closers–Sean Marshall, Jonathan Broxton, and Aroldis Chapman–finished it out without allowing a run. I love to see them honing that blade.

Next Game
Though the Reds no longer play the very first game of the baseball season, this year they’re playing in the very last. Today, Homer Bailey (RHP, 13-10, 3.75 ERA) and the Reds face off against the Cardinals to close out the season at 8:15 p.m., which is no less than 5 minutes later than any other game.

Bailey is just coming off his no-hitter against the Pirates, but he doesn’t need to be wasting that kind of performance on the Cardinals today. Save that for the postseason.

Surprise, Surprise: Cueto to Pitch Game 1
Apparently Chris Speier wasn’t willing to disclose the team’s planned pitching rotation for the post-season while Dusty Baker was still on the mend, but now that Baker’s back, we get to find out that it is, indeed, Johnny Cueto that’s getting the call for game 1.

After that, it will be Bronson Arroyo, followed by Mat Latos. Homer Bailey is unlikely to pitch in the best-of-5 first round, but he’ll be there should one of those other guys find themselves suddenly snake-bitten and in need of long replacement. No one seems to be discussing whether Mike Leake might make the postseason roster anymore.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Last night, the Reds won their 97th game. They haven’t won that many since 1976 when they swept the World Series. I wouldn’t mind seeing that re-run.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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