Boxscore

The Reds’ remarkable play continued last night as they beat the Rockies 7-2.

Mat Latos pitched a helluva game, going 8.0 innings and allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. Not bad for the thin air of Colorado, and far better than he really needed to do with all the offense that came out in support of him. Sam LeCure pitched the ninth and gave up 2 hits and a walk, but no runs.

Drew Stubbs walked and stole second, setting up Brandon Phillips to hit him in with a single in the top of the first inning, but then the Rockies scored two in the bottom of the inning. So, for a minute, the Reds were behind in this game.

Then in the very next inning, Chris Heisey led off with a triple and Miguel Cairo hit a sac fly to tie it up. In the third, the Reds did the exact same thing, only it was Zack Cozart hitting the triple and Stubbs sac flying him in.

That would have been enough, but Stubbs hit a 2-run home run and Jay Bruce hit a solo shot, both in the fifth. Miguel Cairo knocked in Chris Heisey in the eighth for good measure.

The win brings the Reds’ record to an MLB-leading 61-40. They lead the NLC by 3.0 games over the Pirates, who have done admirably hanging with the Reds through this incredible second half. Tonight the Reds come home to Cincinnati to host the San Diego Padres. Mike Leake (RHP, 4-6, 4.12 ERA) starts for the Reds while Edinson Volquez (RHP, 6-7, 3.30 ERA) represents the Padres. First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Boxscore

After having just one home run in the last five games, the Cincinnati Reds had five home runs in one game to defeat the Colorado Rockies 9-7.

Johnny Cueto started for the Reds and was uncharacteristically bad, allowing 3 runs in the first inning. And he was lucky. The first four batters reached base via 3 straight singles and a double. After that, Cueto struggled, but managed to battle through and give the Reds time to come back. Cueto’s final line was 6 innings, 10 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Thanks to the offense, he even got his 13th win.

In the top of the second, Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier both hit solo home runs to bring the Reds within 1. In the very next inning, Drew Stubbs tied it at 3 with his own solo shot. The 5th was when the Reds took the lead, never to give it up again, thanks to a 4-run outburst, this time without the help of homers. Zack Cozart and Drew Stubbs singled in a run apiece, and Brandon Phillips drove in 2 with a double.

The bullpen was a little shaky last night, with Jose Arredondo allowing a couple to score in the 7th, but Scott Rolen added his own solo home run in the 6th, and Ludwick hit his second solo shot in the 8th.

Aroldis Chapman finished the 9th for the save and the Reds won the series while extending their winning streak to 9. The Pittsburgh Pirates won, so they remain 2 games behind Cincinnati. The Reds are 20 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2010 season.

The Reds go for the sweep against the Rockies this afternoon. Mat Latos will face Jonathan Sanchez at 3:10pm EDT.

Boxscore

Bronson Arroyo during Reds Opening Night 2012.

Over his 6 2/3 innings, Arroyo allowed 6 hits, no runs, and struck out 3. He lowered his ERA to 3.76 and is pitching like last year was the aberration everyone hoped it was.

The bullpen maintained the shutout, with Alfredo Simon and Aroldis Chapman contributing a scoreless inning. Chapman struck out the side in the 9th–again–to record his 20th save.

On the offensive side, the Rockies kept the Reds off the board until the 4th inning. Brandon Phillips singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a fly-out by Jay Bruce. Ryan Ludwick continued his hot hitting by lining a double down the left-field line to score Phillips. A sacrifice fly by Todd Frazier allowed Ludwick to score to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.

They added another run when Ludwick, on base again, scored thanks to a wild pitch by Rockies’ reliever Adam Ottavino.

The Reds needed only one run for the win, thanks to another strong pitching performance, but the 3 made it easy.

They go for another series win tonight at 8:10pm EDT. Johnny Cueto goes against Christian Friedrich.

I got a press release from FOX Sports Ohio announcing the introduction of the “Fan Express.” If you watched the video, you know they aren’t being very specific about what the Fan Express is, but if you’re in the Cincinnati area next Wednesday, you can find out for yourself.

FOX Sports Ohio is excited to announce the Fan Express to Reds Country. Media and Cincinnati Reds fans are invited to join the network in the launch of this new fan experience.

Come with a camera! The arrival of the Fan Express to Reds Country will make for a dramatic photo opportunity.

FOX Sports Ohio broadcasters Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro will be in attendance along with the FOX Sports Ohio Women and Cincinnati Reds mascots. The network will also have games and giveaways.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Noon
WHERE: The Banks in front of The Holy Grail