Jat Brutos Says Cheesesteaks Are for Chumps! Reds Defeat Phillies, 2-1.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

The two baby-faced whippersnappers on the Reds squad led the way tonight. Latos wasn't dominant, but he was very effective in his 7 IP, striking out 6 while walking 2 (both of which directly led to the run, but oh well) while tossing an even 100 pitches. 12-4, sub 3.70 ERA, 160 strikeouts, and getting better as the season goes on; that's exactly what Dr. Walt ordered in the offseason (along with an arsenal of short sleeved button-down shirts).

Bruce, on the other hand, was dominant...again. He's on one of his hot streaks, and for the first time in his life, he's doing it while there's no Joey Votto in the lineup. With Ryan Ludwick moderately cooling off (at least in the power department), Jay has put the offense on his back. He was 2 for 3 tonight with a walk, single, and his 31st discount double-check of the season. He's got his season OPS up to a would-be career high (.878), too.

Props to Ryan Hanigan, who, as he is wont, casually went 2 for 3. Drew Stubbs also had a vintage night in the eyes of the eternal Drew Stubbs' Optimist, going 1 for 3 with a walk and a mere 2 Ks. If he could do that every night, dang...nevermind, he can't. That's Austin Jackson.

The supergrover Memorial Honorary Red Reporter of the Gamethread

Here seems like a solid spot to give some due dap to our Farmer's Only brethren. -ManBearPig, UncleWeez, and the esteemed BK bust their butts to bring us an in depth look at the future of our team, all the while doing it with an edge that makes us smile. Actually, I'm pretty convinced they could read us the Paula Deen cookbook at 8 AM every morning and make us fall over laughing, but the fact they write about the promising portion of the 2014-2015 editions of Red Reporter game threads makes it all the more worthwhile.

Props, guys. Now, if only there were a few west coast games left so I could pawn late recaps upon you. Dang.

Key Plays

• Latos cruised early (as did Kendrick, too), but ran into a spat of wildness that cost him a run in the 4th. Chase Utley doubled, and Latos hit Ryan Howard with an inside fastball that was a bit too inside. Or, perhaps, it was just due to Ryan Howard's body type. Mayberry, Jr. then walked, and Domonic Brown walked, too, scoring Utley. Reds trailed, 1-0.
• Jay Bruce righted the world in the bottom of the 6th. Ryan Ludwick singled to right, and Jay Bruce followed with a line shot that just cleared the wall in right. Reds led, 2-1.
• Latos left after 7, and Jonathan Broxton and Aroldis Chapman combined to shut the door for good. Reds win, 2-1!

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Pittsburgh is winning in the 8th over Houston, and St. Louis is up on the Mets in the 8th, too. Eh, who cares, really?
• Wilson Valdez went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, and is flirting dangerously with a sub .400 OPS. FREE DiDi.
• Joey Votto is back. That's an optimistic thing to think about. And yes, I'm going to link you to this. Go Reds!