Boxscore

The Reds suffered a complete system failure about halfway through the game last night. Though they started out leading, they ended up losing an ugly, ugly game to the Mets, 4-9.

It was Mat Latos on the mound. Folks have been fond of saying how good Latos has been in the month of May, and while it’s true that he’s been a lot better in May than he was in April, he still seems to lose it in the fifth. Last night he gave up 3 runs (earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks through 5 innings of work. The Reds really need their starters to go longer than that.

They also needed their bullpen to continue to be all manner of awesome, but that sort of failed to happen last night as well. J.J. Hoover’s inning of relief was run free, but Aroldis Chapman gave up one on a hit and two walks to blow the save. It wasn’t an earned run for Chapman, so his ERA remains pristine, but it was a dispiriting outing anyway.

Not as bad as Logan Ondrusek, though, who allowed 5 runs (earned) on 4 hits and a walk in the last inning the Reds got to pitch.

On the offensive side, the Reds were looking pretty good through the fifth inning. They had a 4-0 lead before the Mets delivered their 9 unanswered. Joey Votto had a solo home run and Ryan Hannigan and Latos each contributed an RBI as well.

That ugliness ended the two-game series in a tie. Today they move across town to face the Yankees for a proper 3-game engagement at 7:05 p.m.

Boxscore

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Mike Leake finally had an outing that was, without qualification, good. And Todd “The Crane” Frazier did what Scott Rolen cannot, and launched two home runs–a solo shot and a two-run homer–to propel the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-3 victory over the New York Mets.

Leake’s final line was 6 innings, 1 earned run, 7 hits, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. The bullpen trio of Jose Arredondo, Aroldis Chapman, and Sean Marshall entered the game after that to shut the Mets down while the offense battled back.

In many ways, that 4-run 8th inning is something that it feels like the Reds should put together at least once almost every game. It was very, very nice to see it tonight. I hope that Dusty Baker can stay out of the way enough to let it happen again tomorrow and get the Reds the sweep of the short series when Mat Latos starts against R. A. Dickey at 1:10pm EDT.

Cincinnati, OH—Don’t miss out—the 2012 Gillette Jay Bruce Baseball ProCamp in partnership with Heinz presented by Fifth Third Bank and CBTS is coming up soon!

The two-day event is July 16th-17th from 8:30AM-12:30PM at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati.

Bruce will be on site the entire camp to direct activities and provide instruction. He will be joined by a selection of the top prep and collegiate coaches from the Cincinnati area.

The camp is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 14 and focuses on the team concept and fundamentals of baseball. Groups will be small to ensure that each camper receives personalized instruction. Bruce will also give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of baseball and beyond.

Each camper receives an autographed camp team photo with Bruce, exclusive camp T-shirt, goodie bag with over $80 worth of merchandise and the opportunity to win additional prizes. Cost of the ProCamp is $174.

Additional camp partners include The Christ Hospital, Champion Windows, The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, FS Ohio, 700 WLW and The Cincinnati Enquirer.

For more information and registration, please visit www.JayBruceCamp.com or call 888-389-CAMP (2267).