Arroyo Helps Reds Get Back On Track

Brandon Phillips makes an impressive inning-ending play in
the Reds 6-1 win over the D-Backs, Saturday.

By:  Cooper Ledford


The Cincinnati Reds were coming off of their first losing streak of the season, and had a 5-2 record after starting 5-0.  Bronson Arroyo was trying to end that losing streak and give the Reds win #6, and that he did.  Bronson looked great through 6 innings, helping the Reds get the win 6-1.  Here is how.


In the 1st inning, Scott Rolen hit an RBI single to plate Phillips, 1-0 Cincy.  A few batters later, Jay Bruce hit a fly ball with Votto on 3rd and Rolen on 2nd.  Both runners would try and tag-up, Votto just touched home plate before Rolen was tagged out at 3rd, that was the 3rd out of the inning, but the run did indeed count, 2-0 the score.


Arizona would answer back in the 6th when Melvin Mora hit an RBI single to bring in Chris Young from 3rd, and the D-Backs were on the board.  But let's rewind--how did Young get to 3rd again?  Well he reached 1st then Bronson tried to pick him off, it was a throwing error that went into right field, Young would go all the way to 3rd, that's how he got there.  I guess Bronson's hair got in the way, ha ha.


The score would remain 2-1 going into the 9th inning.  The 9th inning was great for the Redlegs, as they scored 4 runs in the inning.  The first two run were scored when Jonny Gomes hit an RBI double down the 3rd base line, Votto and Rolen would come around to score, 4-1.  The 3rd run of the inning was scored when Ryan Hanigan hit an RBI single to plate Gomes from 3rd, 5-1.  And the final run of the inning, and game, was scored when Chris Heisey hit an RBI single to bring home Hanigan, 6-1 the score, and that's how she finished.


Bronson Arroyo got the win, as he went 6 innings, have up 8 hits (yes, that is a lot) 1 run (none earned--even though it should be earned since he was the one to commit the error) did not walk a batter, and fanned half-a-dozen.  


Arroyo couldn't have won this game without the help of his team's bullpen.  Bill Bray had a 1-2-3 7th inning, Aroldis Chapman had a scoreless 8th, and Francisco Cordero had a 3 up, 3 down, 9th inning.


This was an all-around team win for the Reds, everyone was important in this one.  


While the Reds are happy, Diamondbacks starting pitcher, Daniel Hudson is not.  He pitched a great game, going 7 innings, giving up 3 hits, and 2 earned runs, but gets the tough-luck loss.


The Reds go to 6-2 on the year, Bronson Arroyo goes to 2-0, and the Reds are 1.5 games ahead of the Pirates for 1st place in the NL Central.


Tomorrow the Reds and Snakes will play in the rubber game at 4:10 PM ET.  Mike Leake will battle with Joe Saunders.  The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio.

Series 3 Preview

By:  Cooper Ledford


The 5-1 Cincinnati Reds will begin their first road trip of the season.  Their first stop will be in Arizona as they will visit the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series.  So with that, I am going to preview this series, game by game.


Game 1 (Friday, 9:40 PM ET, FS Ohio):  Travis Wood will be pitching for the Reds, while Ian Kennedy will be pitching for the D-Backs.  Wood had a great first start, as he only gave up 1 run and 3 hits through 7 innings.  Kennedy was decent when he started on Opening Day, as he gave up 3 earned runs through 6 innings.  Travis Wood is the better pitcher in this one, so the Reds should win.  The Reds offense was not very good in their last game against Houston, they need to improve a bit.


Game 2 (Saturday, 8:10 PM ET, FS Ohio):  In the 2nd game of the series, Bronson Arroyo will take the hill for the Reds, for the D-Backs, it will be Daniel Hudson.  Hudson lost in his previous start against the Rockies, while Arroyo won in his previous start against the Brewers.  This looks like it will be a great pitcher's duel, but then again, both pitchers have some issues.  As all Reds fans know, Bronson is still recovering from mono, but seems to be fine.  Hudson's issue is not an illness, as it is just the fact that his command is not that great, as he showed against Colorado.  


Game 3 (Sunday, 4:10 PM ET, FS Ohio):  In the final game of the series, Mike Leake will pitch for Cincinnati, his counterpart will be Joe Saunders.  Mike Leake pitched well in his first start against Houston, allowing only 2 runs in 6 innings.  Saunders looked good as well in his first start against the Cubs, as he allowed only 2 runs through 6 innings, yet was handed the loss.  Both pitchers are coming off strong outings, we'll see who does better though.


The game the Reds have the best chance of losing is either the 2nd or 3rd game.  The 2nd because Hudson is a great pitcher, the 3rd because Mike Leake might struggle a bit.  Dunno why I say that, I just have a feeling.  But, I say the Reds take at least 2 games from Arizona, and go to 7-2, or hopefully 8-1.