It's the same old song. WSH 4, CIN 2

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Player of the Game

Mat Latos wins the prestigious honor today due to the lack of other viable options.  Latos pitched six innings, giving up three runs on three hits, four walks and six strikeouts.  Latos showed better velocity in this game than he has since his return, and he looked decent outside of the disastrous fifth inning.

Honorable mentions are due to Todd Frazier, Jay Bruce and Devin Mesoraco for powering the ninth inning comeback attempt.  There were also a couple of nice defensive plays by the home nine, including a running catch by Donald Lutz, who then was able to double Denard Span off first with the help of a nice relay throw by Ramon Santiago. Santiago also had a good running catch to save a hit earlier in the game.

Key Plays

• Danny Espinosa led off the fifth inning with a single.  Two batters later, Denard Span walked.  Anthony Rendon was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Jayson Werth drew a walk to score Espinosa, and then Adam LaRoche singled to drive in Span and Rendon.  Nationals lead 3-0.
• In the ninth, with Carlos Contreras pitching, Nate McLouth reached on a Skip Schumaker throwing error.  Span then walked, and Rendon singled to drive in McLouth.  Nationals lead 4-0.
• In the bottom of the ninth, Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce hit back-to-back singles to bring a Reds baserunner to second base for the first time in the game, and then Devin Mesoraco doubled to left to score them both.  With Mesoraco on second and nobody out, the rally fizzed as Jack Hannahan struck out, Donald Lutz grounded out and Chris Heisey flied out to end the game.  Nationals win 4-2.
  

Fangraph

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2014-07-27&team=Reds&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2014-07-27&team=Reds&dh=0&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span>

Other Notes

• <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash">#Reds</a> today remind me of high school — having trouble getting to second base</p>&mdash; ctrent (@ctrent) <a href="https://twitter.com/ctrent/statuses/493483856129835008">July 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
• <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Denard Span had one less BB today than the Reds had in the whole three game series against the Nationals.</p>&mdash; Baseball (@baseballminutia) <a href="https://twitter.com/baseballminutia/statuses/493497333297205248">July 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
• This was the third consecutive game without a home run by either team.  That has never happened before in the history of Great American Ball Park.  So new record.  We are all witnesses to history today.
• Despite his hit in the ninth inning, Jay Bruce continues to flail at the plate.  I find it easier to believe that there's something physically wrong with him than that he just forgot how to play baseball.  Perhaps the Reds are waiting until after his August 6th Bobblehead Night to put him on the DL.
• Title Tune.