The story tonight? Sacrifice flies. 3 of them in one game is a welcome sight for Reds fans accustomed to failure in clutch situations this season. This was only the 34th time in Reds history that the team got three SFs in one game.
1) Brandon Phillips. He continues to dominate the leadoff spot, and is now 19 for 43 in his 10 games since re-assuming the position. This is the first 10 game hitting streak for a Red leadoff man since Willy Taveras in 2009, who hit in 14 games in a row (going 24 for 59 overall) from 4/29 to 5/13 and then proceeded to absolutely suck the rest of the season. But back to BP...after tonight's 2 for 4 performance, with 2 more runs scored and another RBI, his average is dangerously close to .300. The only negative: he was charged with his 6th error of the season.
2) Mike Leake. The team leader in wins (11-8 record now) turned in another quality start. The two solo bombs served up to Werth and Ramos in the third were frustrating, but he settled in, battling through a tough 4th and limiting the Nats to 2 runs in 6 innings. There is really no question - he has been the second most reliable starter behind Cueto.
3) Drew Stubbs. Went 3 for 3 and had one of the sacrifice flies, giving the Reds a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third. It was his eighth game of the season with 3 or more hits.
4) Francisco Cordero. Coming off a shaky performance in the Marlins finale, he buckled down for a 1-2-3 ninth in this one and is now 12 for 12 in save opportunities since the All-Star Break. 29 of 34 for the season.
Having already locked up their third series win in a row (!) and finally battled back to .500 (!) the Reds go for a sweep tomorrow with a pitchers' duel - Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto take the mound at GABP. This is only the second time all year the Reds have won 3 or more series in a row; they won 5 in a row in May (HOU, @CHC, @HOU, STL, CHC).
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