W: Iglesias, R (3-4, 4.70)
L: Shields (8-5, 3.89)
With today’s win over the San Diego Padres, the Cincinnati Reds avoid the sweep, snap a three-game losing streak and earn their 50th win of the season.
Offensive: The Reds’ offense was firing on all cylinders against the Padres today. They collected seven runs off nine hits, including three extra-base hits. The Reds scored big in the first inning, when Jay Bruce hit a bases-clearing triple to give the Reds an early 3-0 lead. The Reds scored again in the third inning when Joey Votto was brought home after a balk from Padres pitcher James Shields. They tacked on another run in the seventh inning off a sacrifice fly from Todd Frazier, and another in the ninth off a two-run homer from Votto.
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Starting Pitching: Raisel Iglesias got off to a very shaky start against the Friars, hitting the first batter he faced. Following the hit by pitch, Iglesias gave up three hits and a walk, allowing the Padres to score three runs, tying the game in the first inning. But after the first inning, Iglesias went on an absolute tear, dominating every batter he faced and pitching five perfect innings, with only one ball leaving the infield. When Iglesias’s day was over, he pitched six innings, allowed three runs, tied a career high eight strikeouts, and retired 16 batters in a row. Iglesias showed his tremendous upside here, in what will hopefully be a great career in Cincinnati.
Relief Pitching: Jumbo Diaz, J.J. Hoover and Aroldis Chapman all made relief appearances today, pitching three scoreless innings and only allowing two hits between the three of them.
Other Notes:
• Votto now leads the National League with the most multi-hit games (39), and finished off his day by hitting his 20th home run of the season.
• Marlon Byrd narrowly avoided wearing the golden sombrero today by getting a hit in the eighth inning.
• Chapman made a rare appearance in a non-save situation, possibly only taking the mound today to work on his secondary pitches.
Up Next: The Cincinnati Reds will travel up I-5 to take on the Los Angles Dodgers tomorrow when Keyvius Sampson gets the start for the Reds. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. EST.
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