The Reds just completed a dominant four-game series in AT&T Park, and in so doing, completed an equally dominant season series against the defending world champion Giants.
In taking the series 3-1, the Reds scored 31 runs (11, 9, 3, 8).
This was a "first since..." in a number of ways:
1) The first time they've scored 8+ runs three times in a single series since August 2005 (a sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley).
2) Also the first time they've scored 31 runs in a series since 2005 (32 runs against Arizona, 34 runs against Tampa Bay)
3) The first time they've scored 31 runs in a road series since July 2000 at Colorado...and the last time they scored MORE in a road series was May 1999, also at Colorado...a series in which they scored 36 runs thanks mostly to a 24-run outburst fueled by Jeffrey Hammonds (3 HR) and Sean Casey (6 RBI).
The Reds also completed the season series vs. San Francisco with a 6-1 record, and a dominant 45-14 advantage in runs scored. Plus the no-hitter by Bailey.
I'd say it went pretty well. Certainly not well enough to erase the painful memories of the 2012 NLDS (and apparently not well enough to make up ground in the standings either), but quite well indeed.
The best individual performers of the four-game set:
At the plate: Devin Mesoraco (8 for 16, 2 homers, 7 RBI). Probably the best series of his young career.
Starting pitching: Bronson Arroyo (6 K, 7-hit complete-game shutout in Game 1). A vintage Bronson performance, keeping the struggling opposing lineup guessing all night - until the final batter, at least...and we all know D-Rob took care of that for him with one of the coolest catches you'll ever see.
Relief: Sam LeCure (2 K in a spotless inning to escape a bases-loaded jam of Leake's making in Game 4). He has inherited 12 runners this season, and none have scored - best in MLB.
Now, it's on to Los Angeles. The Reds have actually won 6 of their last 9 in Dodger Stadium, but that immediately followed a 12-game losing streak there. It's always been a tough place to win, but winning is exactly what they have to do with a 5-game deficit to make up in the division race.
