Everything worked for the Cincinnati Reds, Mike Leake(!) does his thing as Reds beat Marlins 5-0

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

There is a lot of Johnny Cueto love that goes on in this section, and rightfully so, as we (potentially) approach the end of his tenure as a Red. But we often overlook... we're probably approaching the end of Mike Leake's tenure as a Red as well. Leake doesn't have the numbers (or a runner up Cy Young vote) to his name, but he's been a very solid pitcher for the Reds since being inserted into the starting rotation straight out of college in 2010.

He's a consistent innings eater for the Reds, much like his mentor Bronson Arroyo had been for many years before him. He's not been as good as Bronson, but in those pitching sufficient years the Reds have enjoyed since 2010, he was probably more valuable to the Reds than he would've been for any other team. Many of them would kill for that kind of consistent performance out of their 5th spot in the rotation.

But make no mistake when we're treated to a particularly good Mike Leake performance, it's every bit as special as a #Goodrroyo performance. Tonight we got 7 innings of 2 hit baseball with 3 walks and 7 strikeouts and 0 earned. When Leake can take the mound, pick his spots and hit them consistently, magic can be made. The control got shaky at times but the mastery is no less impressive.

Call it being sentimental, but I'm giving the trophy to Mike.

Honorable mention are due to: Todd Frazier who had 2 extra base hits on the night with a run scored (so a typical Todd Frazier night, ho-hum), Jay Bruce with a hit, 2 RBI, a run scored, a steal and a walk. Marlon Byrd who came off the DL and promptly CAW CAW'd one right out of the ball park. Eugenio Suarez who tacked on an insurance run with his only hit of the night (while also making some great defense plays at shortstop). Tucker Barnhart for his 2-4 night with a run scored. AND the bullpen (JJ Hoover and Pedro Villarreal) for being good, again. Every time the bullpen doesn't suck in this season feels like a win, and they've stung a few together in a row.

Key Plays

• The game was slow (and by slow, I mean really fast, time-wise) until the Reds struck in the bottom of the 4th. Jay Bruce flied out to start the inning, but Marlon Byrd, in his first game back from the disabled list, doinked a dinger to center field. Eugenio Suarez and Tucker Barnhart ended the inning on outs shortly thereafter, but the Byrd is back. Reds led, 1-0.
• In the bottom of the 7th, Suarez started it off by flying out but Barnhart followed him up by hitting his first double of the season. Pinch Hitter Extraordinaire Skip Schumaker batted for Leake and promptly hit a single, driving in Barnhart. Billy Hamilton singled, but Brandon Phillips erased both of them on a double play. Reds led after 7 full, 2-0.
• In the bottom of the 8th, Joey Votto led off with a walk. Todd Frazier did what Todd Frazier does and laced a single to right, Votto advancing to 3rd and Frazier to 2nd on the throw. Jay Bruce continued his hitting resurgence by doubling to right field, scoring both Votto and Frazier. Byrd struck out, but Bruce stole 3rd before Suarez doubled on a grounder to left, scoring him from 3rd. Barnhart and pinch hitting Chris Dominguez ended the inning with outs but the Reds provided insurance, 5-0.
• Instead of Aroldis Chapman, we were greeted with Pedro Villarreal for the 9th inning. While it wasn't always pretty, the job got done. Reds win, 5-0.

Source: FanGraphs