Boxscore

The Reds assured a win in the series by taking the third of the four games against the Braves last night. It was a real pitchers’ duel with a final score of 1-2.

Bronson Arroyo went for the Reds and turned in a keen performance. He worked 6.2 innings and allowed just 1 run (earned) on 4 hits and two walks. That one run was a home run allowed to notorious Reds killer Dan Uggla to lead off the fourth inning. That’s always a little disheartening, but it didn’t go any further than that.

Jose Arredondo and Aroldis Chapman finished out the game with a couple scoreless innings, and because Arroyo got pulled when the game was still tied, it was Chapman who got the win. I’d like to see Chapman get a whole lot more wins, myself, but more as a starter rather than as the guy who happened to be the most recent guy on the mound when the walk-off happened.

On the offensive side, it was Jay Bruce was credited with the RBI for the run in the 6th, even though he was 0-for-4 on the day. In fact, only Zack Cozart and Chris Heisey has multiple hits, both of them going 2-for-4. They weren’t the story, though, what with Todd Frazier and his big walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. On this team, everyone gets a turn being the hero!

The win brings the Reds’ record to 24-19 and their winning streak to 5. Damn those Cardinals, though, who are rocking a 3-game winning streak that has kept them in first place in the NLC by half a game. Tonight the Reds try to sweep the four-game series. Homer Bailey (2-3, 4.34 ERA) takes on Randall Delgado (2-4, 4.26 ERA) at 7:10 p.m.

Boxscore

The Cincinnati Reds have a winning streak. Sure, it might end with their next game, but right now, they’ve won 4 games in a row for their longest such streak of 2012. The streak has also pushed them to their best record: 23-19, 4 games over .500.

Tonight Mat Latos turned in another fine outing to pick up his 3rd win. If he can pitch like this on a regular basis, the 2012 Reds are going to look very good. Over 7 innings, Latos allowed 5 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs. Oh, and he struck out 8. A very impressive night.

The offense was impressive, too. The Atlanta Braves sent out Brandon Beachy to start, he of the lowest ERA in the majors. Probably not any more, not after the Reds connected for 3 home runs and 4 runs off of him.

Brandon Phillips had a multi-home run game, hitting a 2-run shot in the 1st and a solo shot in the 4th. Zack Cozart contributed his own solo home run off Beachy in the 3rd.

That was all the offense the Reds got, and it was all they needed, thanks to Latos, Logan Ondrusek, and new closer Aroldis Chapman. I’ve written about how I think the Reds are mishandling Chapman, but even I can admit that Chapman’s likely to be very, very good in that game finishing role. He was against the Braves last night when he picked up his second save. His line? 1 inning, 2 strikeouts, no hits, and no runs. And lots of pitches at 100 miles per hour. He’s so much fun to watch. And clearly, that arrest had no affect on his ability.

The Reds play the third of four against the Braves today at 7:10pm EDT. Tommy Hanson will start against Bronson Arroyo.