Boxscore

The Reds avoided a series sweep at the hands of the Cardinals this afternoon by eking out a last minute win, 3-4.

Johnny Cueto took the mound for the Reds and added to his reputation of awesomeness. He allowed three runs (earned) on seven hits in seven innings. He also struck out three. Jose Arredondo, Bill Bray, and Logan Ondrusek took their scoreless turns, but it was Aroldis Chapman who really brought it all home, with his five strike-outs in two innings. Firey!

Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Chris Heisey, and Wilson Valdez had an RBI apiece. Votto, in fact, went 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

Tomorrow the Reds play a rare second day game in a row as they visit the Washington Nationals. Mat Latos takes on Gio Gonzalez at 1:05 p.m. You can catch it on Fox Sports Ohio and MLB Network.

Boxscore

The Cincinnati took the rubber game of their first series of the year this afternoon by beating the Miami Marlins 5-6.

Bronson Arroyo took the mound for the Reds and was downright good through six innings. Unfortunately, he pitched 6.1. At the end of his tenure, Arroyo allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits and zero walks. Logan Ondrusek came in to finish up the seventh and he allowed no run, no hits, no nothin’. Aroldis Chapman brought in on home with the final two innings, surrendering zero runs on on hit and no walks. He also struck out 3.

On the offensive side, the Reds struck early against a familiar face in Carlos Zambrano by scoring three in the first inning. That sounds like a lot, but they really should have scored more than that, having loaded the bases with either zero or one outs (I can’t remember exactly–I just remember being frustrated that they didn’t pad the score more at that point).

It was enough, though, until that mess of a seventh inning when the Marlins found themselves in possession of a 5-4 lead. But then the hero of the day, Jay Bruce, came out in the ninth and smacked his second solo-shot of the day to tie it up at 5s. A few batters later, Scott Rolen knocked in the winning run with an infield hit to put a mark in the win column.

Brandon Phillips also had a pretty good offensive game (2-for-4 with a run scored) as did Zack Cozart (1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI). Joey Votto did not have such a hot game (0-for-3 with a walk) but he picked a good one to sit out of, seeing as Bruce was all ready to do his thing.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 2-1 (and Bruce is still on pace for 162 homers this season). Tomorrow the Reds host the Cardinals at 7:10 p.m. EDT. Homer Bailey will take on Jake Westbrook.

Here are some pictures taken from Saturday’s Opening Night game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Florida Miami Marlins. Although the Reds lost 8-3, the club put on an excellent event, one that I think surpasses Opening Day. At least, I had a lot more fun.

Pictures from the Red Carpet meet and greet event prior to the game will be coming tomorrow.

Boxscore

“Game 1.” Boy, that feels good to type.

And even better, that game felt good to watch. The Reds took a cue from the Cardinals yesterday and started the season by beating up on Miami to the tune of a quick 0-4 win.

Johnny Cueto shut out the Marlins through seven innings of 3 hit work. He also walked two and struck out four. Then Aroldis Chapman came on in the eighth and struck out two-of-three for his scoreless inning. Finally, Sean Marshall also struck out two-of-three for a scoreless ninth. Just beautiful.

On the offensive side, the Reds got the scoring going early when Jay Bruce brought in the first run on a sacrifice fly. He ended up with two RBI, in fact, and a run scored. Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey had the other two RBI; Zach Cozart and Scott Rolen the other two runs.

To be fair to the Marlins, no only did they have two opening days in a row, but they also had to travel for a day game after a night game. What kind of sadist scheduler does a thing like that to a team? But Miami should be better than they’ve looked the last two days, and after a day of rest tomorrow, they’ll get a chance to prove it on Saturday.

Saturday is “Opening Night,” the pomp and circumstance around which is wholly invented, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a damn fine event nonetheless. The RHM family will be in attendance–even though it will mean two inter-state drives in three days–because it’s just so darn fun.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. The Marlins will send out Ricky Nolasco against our new right-hander, Mat Latos.

Boxscore

The Cincinnati Reds sent out 18 of their finest players against the Chicago Cubs today, but despite a 4-for-6 showing from Brandon Phillips and defending a lead going into the ninth, the Cubs got the better of them.

In addition to Phillips’ four hits, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and Dioner Navarro each contributed a couple. Scott Rolen and Chris Heisey brought the total to 14 with a hit apiece. Fourteen hits (plus six walks) ain’t bad, but when you leave 27 aboard, you’re not going to get very far.

Matt Latos toed the rubber for the Reds, going four and two-thirds innings giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks. Latos was followed by Justin Freeman, Sean Marshall, Kanekoa Texeira, Clayton Tanner, and Mark Serrano, but only Tanner gave up more runs. Four (earned) to be exact, two of them homers, on four hits and a walk. The lead went along with the runs, earning young Tanner the loss.

The loss puts the Reds at 10-16 for the spring: not exactly worrisome or important, but not exactly exciting to watch either. Tomorrow the team hosts the Angels at 4:05 EDT.