Boxscore

I wanted to write a game wrap for this afternoon’s tonight’s rain-delayed game, but there are really only two things to say about it.

• Joey Votto is awesome. Totally awesome.
• His awesomeness kept Dusty Baker off the managerial hot seat for one more day.

Boxscore

For Joey Votto bobble head night, we watched the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals from the comfortable confines of the Champions Club.

In this episode of the podcast, we review the abundant food selections in the Club, as well as discuss the recent trip to the disabled list by Scott Rolen.

The continued frustrating play of the Reds warranted a mention or two, as well, thanks to the Reds managing to score just one run during the game.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Boxscore

Last night was the first #RedsTweetup game for the Cincinnati Reds, but the Reds lost badly to the Washington Nationals. I’m not sure what the Reds’ record is for these tweetup events, but I don’t remember the team winning either of the two I attended last year. Last nights’ loss could be seen coming from a mile away, though.

Mike Leake was the starter for the Reds, and the fact that he didn’t allow 6 runs in the first inning surprised me. He pitched horribly, allowing just 3 and getting lucky that some hard-hit balls just missed leaving the park. Leake did the reverse of a quality start, allowing 6 runs in 3 innings instead of 3 runs in 6. He allowed a run in each of his innings.

After that, the game was pretty much over. Six runs is hard to come back from, especially when the bullpen allowed a 7th run in the 4th.

The offense did threaten to make the game interesting. They loaded the bases twice. In the fifth inning, both Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen failed to deliver. And in the 8th, pinch-hitter Chris Heisey popped out.

The team has lost the opening game to this series against a team that has dominated them so far this season. Mike Leake and Scott Rolen continue to struggle mightily. Leake with his 7.11 ERA and Rolen with his .174 average. If neither improves within the next week or two, expect a change for both of them.

The second game of the series is tonight at 7:10pm EDT. Mat Latos goes against Jordan Zimmerman for Joey Votto Bobblehead night.

Boxscore

I guess Mat Latos really is a better pitcher in May than April.

In his first start in May, Latos, who is horrible, just horrible, in his career in April, had his best start as a Cincinnati Red. He struck out a career high 11 over the course of 6 innings, allowing no runs, 2 hits and 3 walks. Plus, he did all this while pitching with the dreaded flu-like symptoms.

“I was not feeling good at all this morning,” he said. “I woke up throwing up. It wasn’t pretty.”

Latos was still feeling queasy when he took the mound. It didn’t help that the first inning lasted a long time.

“I thought I was going to throw up a couple of times,” Latos said.

Eww. That would’ve been gross. I do wonder if that’s ever happened on a pitching mound in the middle of a game. That would certainly get you on SportsCenter.

The Reds’ relievers have been lights out lately, having pitched 21 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball. They were no different today. After taking over for the ailing Latos after the 6th, they continued the shutout and preserved the win.

The offense was good, too, and got off to an early start. Joey Votto drove in Drew Stubbs in the first inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starter Charlie Morton. Todd Frazier, who must have been starting instead of Willie Harris due to a clerical error, hit a home run in the second to make it 2-0. And then Drew Stubbs made it 4-0 with a home run in the 3rd.

The win puts the Reds one game back over .500 at 14-13. They take the series with the Pirates and will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers tomorrow. Bronson Arroyo will go for the Reds with Yavani Gallardo starting for the Brewers at 8:10pm EDT.

Boxscore

That was a great game last night, wasn’t it?

Johnny Cueto was awesome. Again. And the offense actually showed up. It felt like it was the first time in forever that the offense wasn’t rained out. How nice that it gave the Cincinnati Reds their first time above .500 since April 8.

Cueto continues to show himself as the best home-grown Reds pitcher since Tom Browning. Granted, that may sound like damning him with faint praise considering the team’s horrendous track record at developing starting pitching. But Cueto’s pitching like an ace. His complete game effort against the Pittsburgh Pirates was just another exhibit in that case. On the night, his line was 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, and 4 strikeouts.

The offense was lead by three home runs, one each from Zack Cozart, Drew Stubbs, and Jay Bruce. Of course, by that point, the Reds were already ahead 3-1 thanks to some timely hitting that we haven’t seen the team do much of this year.

Hopefully that will continue tonight when Mike Leake faces James McDonald at 7:05pm EDT.