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Reds take game, series: CIN 4, TOR 3

Reds win their first ever series against Toronto behind another strong outing by Johnny Cueto

By Andrew Shinkle
Joe Robbins

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

For the second straight game, a Reds starter held the powerful Toronto offense in check. This time is was Reds ace Johnny Cueto. Cueto threw 120 pitches in eight innings, allowing three runs, only one of which was earned, over seven hits, one walk and eight strikeouts. Which means his already sterling ERA in day games just got a little bit lower. He even added a bunt single and run scored to the cause.

Honorable mention to Todd Frazier for his 17th home run of the season, a two run job in the fifth inning that proved to be the difference in the game, and to Aroldis Chapman for striking out all three batters he faced, providing free pizza to the Reds faithful in attendance.

Key Plays

  • The Reds scored first yet again when they took advantage of a Toronto error that extended the inning, allowing Jay Bruce to drive in Frazier with a single. Reds up 1-0.

  • Defensive miscues would come back to haunt the Reds in the third when Joey Votto and Cueto each made throwing errors. This brought Colby Rasmus to the plate with the bases loaded, and his single drove in two Blue Jays. Toronto 2, Reds 1.

  • In the fourth inning, the Reds tied the game. Jay Bruce led off the inning with a double, and advanced on a Todd Frazier single. Then Brayan Pena bounced into a double play, but the run scored. After four innings, all tied at 2.

  • An inning later, Cueto led off with a bunt single, then scored on Frazier’s home run two batters later. Reds up 4-2.

  • Edwin Encarnacion led off the eighth inning with a home run to left field to cut the lead to one. Reds 4, Blue Jays 3.

Fangraph


Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

  • This is the first time the Reds have ever won a series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

  • Brandon Phillips left the game after the fifth inning with a bruised heel. As of press time, there seems to be some confusion as to which heel it was. Regardless, hopefully it’s nothing serious.

  • When coming around to score in the fifth inning, Cueto appeared to tweak something in his leg. He stayed in the game and showed no ill effects.

  • Two Blue Jays left this game due to injury. Brett Lawrie fractured a finger swinging at an inside pitch, and Jose Bautista left the game with leg tightness. Hopefully they’ll both be okay.

  • Tune!

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