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Reds crank out five homers in ninth straight win
Cueto overcomes rocky start for career-high 13th victory
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | 7/29/2012 1:15 AM ET
Comments (297)

Reds go deep five times in Colorado

DENVER -- The force field around the Reds' recent winning mojo withstood a venerable Coors Field slugfest and a subpar night from the rotation's ace.

It's not often that a team has a five-homer night with a four-run inning and feels fortunate to escape with a victory. But that's what happened for the Reds in a 9-7 win over the Rockies on Saturday night.

"That was a tough, tough, tough game," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "They didn't quit over there and our guys kept battling. You never feel comfortable in this ballpark."

The first-place Reds, who have a two-game lead in the National League Central and are tied with the Yankees and Nationals for the best record in baseball at 60-40, have extended their season-high winning streak to nine games and have taken 16 out of 18. Amazingly, much of the success has come without the help of their best player. They are 10-2 minus the injured Joey Votto.

"I feel like the team chemistry in here is awesome," said left fielder Ryan Ludwick, who hit two homers in the game. "Everyone gets along. I think we believe. Obviously having Votto out of the lineup as long as he's been out and to have the record we have, you've got to believe. We're getting contributions from different players at different times. If you believe in yourselves, it's half the battle."

There has been some variety to this winning stretch -- pitching duels, routs and on Friday, a 3-0 shutout at Colorado.

This time, Cincinnati had to roll up its sleeves and grind one out -- especially after starter Johnny Cueto's first four batters of the game notched hits and the Rockies took a 3-0 first-inning lead.

Setting a career high with his 13th win, Cueto gave up five runs (four earned) and 10 hits over six innings with two walks and three strikeouts. He lost his league lead in ERA as it increased to 2.39.

"It was not an easy night but thank God I did my job. At least I did it," Cueto said through an interpreter.

The Reds used power to get back in game. Ludwick and Todd Frazier each hit solo homers in the top of the second inning.

"Johnny battled big time. He didn't start the game out too well," Baker said. "It wasn't looking too good. We came back and got two right after they got three."

In the third, Drew Stubbs made it a 3-3 game with a long ball to left field. Colorado took the lead back in the bottom half as Cueto gave up two hits and made a his second errant pickoff, which led to an unearned run when Josh Rutledge scored as Michael Cuddyer grounded into a double play.

Instead of homers, the Reds put together a rally against left-hander Christian Friedrich in the fifth. With runners on second and third and one out, Zack Cozart rolled a single up the middle that scored Todd Frazier. Drew Stubbs' single into left field brought home Ryan Hanigan with the go-ahead run.

Reliever Josh Roenicke replaced Friedrich and Brandon Phillips promptly drove a two-run double to the wall in center field.

"Those solo home runs don't kill you, but that [fifth] inning did," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.

Roenicke later allowed Scott Rolen's solo homer to left field to begin the sixth inning.

In a lengthy bottom of the sixth, Cueto gave up a two-out single and a walk that loaded the bases, but he wiggled out of trouble.

"What an offense. We picked Cueto up tonight," Ludwick said. "He can't throw zeros up every time, even though he is pretty good. Really good. If he's not the Cy Young talk now, there is something wrong. Cy Cueto."

The Rockies crept closer against Reds reliever Jose Arredondo in the seventh. Following a walk, Cuddyer hit a 1-1 pitch that landed in the left-field seats just beyond Ludwick's outstretched glove. Bill Bray walked his only batter when he replaced Arredondo, and Logan Ondrusek worked out of the inning. Ondrusek gave up a double to start the eighth and a one-out walk. Sean Marshall entered with two outs and got a big strikeout of Carlos Gonzalez.

Ludwick gave Cincinnati some insurance in the eighth by leading off with his second homer of the game, against Matt Belisle. His 17-homer total is second on the team and it was the first time the Reds had five homers in a game on the road since Sept. 10 last season, also at Colorado.

Even closer Aroldis Chapman had some drama in the ninth en route to save No. 21. Chapman grazed Todd Helton with a 99-mph fastball, gave up Jordan Pacheco's two-out single and a wild pitch, but he struck out Andrew Brown to leave the tying run on second base as the Rockies finished with 10 runners left on base.

On Sunday, the Reds will be seeking their third-straight three-game series sweep. They haven't won 10 games in a row since 1999.

"You don't think about how you're doing it, don't think about how long you've been in it, don't think about when it's going to stop," Baker said. "Just come out and expect to win every day."

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/mlb/gamed...ap&c_id=cin

Oh my bad refs, I thought it was ok to post twitter when it wasn't used for a rumor.

But anyway, BP said in an interview or something, that Marty will have to shave his head if the Reds win today.

Marty’s hair is on the line

During the back-and-forth banter on the team plane with third base coach Chris Speier, Marty Brennaman said he would shave if the Reds won 10 in row.

This happened a couple of weeks ago. The Reds have won nine in a row going into today. Speier and other witnesses reminded Brennaman of the promise when he arrived this morning.

“I’m a man of my word,” Brennaman said. “I’ll do it.”

“Our broadcaster is going to rooting against us today,” Speier said.

“No, I ain’t,” Brennaman said. “I might like it.”

Brennaman said he’ll lose his famous poofy hair Friday in the Reds clubhouse. Homer Bailey has volunteered to man the clippers.

“I’ve got TV commercials to do (Monday), then I’m off,” he said.


http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/

Might have to score 10 to get it done with Latos today.

Latos was spectacular after I made that comment, it was reverse psychology.

This season has been a lot of fun.

Can't wait to see a bald Marty Brennaman later this week!

Yeah, um, I'm gonna need you guys to lose a game pretty soon.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE MARTY CALLS!

In honor of Marty Brennaman's 70th birthday this summer, we're celebrating the Hall of Famer with a special "Marty Party" when the Reds battle the Pirates on Friday, Aug. 3.

At the ballpark that night, we'll be playing Marty's top moments on the radio - and it's up to you to decide what those moments are!

We've assembled 70 of Marty's greatest calls and sound clips below, ranging in categories from historic calls in Reds history to off-beat moments that are sure to bring a smile. Cast your vote for your favorites and come to the ballpark on Aug. 3 to see if your choices won!

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/fan_forum/favorite_marty_calls.jsp#tab3

I think that the Reds might just be the best team in MLB, will win all of the rest of their games, and the World Series.

I see no way that this cannot happen.

If they can add Choo some experts may agree.

Better pony up big time if you want Choo.

He's signed through next year, and he's gonna bring a heavy bounty if someone wants to acquire him this year.

Yeah it wont happen.

Rosenthal says the Reds are going hard after Garza. Could be a great add to an already tough rotation.

I just worry about his health.

Good. I have no interest in getting Choo.

I don't think that I ever said that about the Indians. We had holes. Unfortunately our pitching fell apart in the second half.

At this point I just don't see any team that can touch the Reds. Should be a cakewalk right to the World Series. That's my prediction.

I'd be okay ponying up two okay prospects- but none of our top arms- for Denard Span. I know that rumor seems to have cooled down, but the guy is signed though the next three years (the final is a club option) and is a career .285 hitter with wheels. Dump one of the guys in our crowded outfield to make it happen.

I'm okay with Pierre or Victorino if the price is right, but they're one year rentals. Span could be worth keeping for a while.

Go Padres.

We're up against your boy Kip Wells tonight.

Well here we go Reds fan big series against the Buccos. All though if a team wins the series 2-1 the gain is only 1 game. Really the Reds just need to avoid a sweep and everything will be good.

To win the reds need the starting pitching to come back around. I think the reds have their best chance tonight with Latos vs Wandy. The reds have hammered Wandy recently and if good Latos can show up it will prevent the Redlegs from getting swept and that's the ultimate goal.

Anyways let's go Redlegs

Yes, I'm worried about this series.

Go Reds!!

4.5 game lead. Although I am more concerned about the Cardinals than the Pirates.

It would be huge to have the best record in the NL, playing a team coming off a 1 game series, having used their ace already.

Did anyone catch Latos's balls on the postgame show.

https://p.twimg.com/Aza7sigCQAAsQV6.jpg:large

Haha, yea I did see that.

Apparently it is something they pass around to the player of the game. It was in Ludwick's locker a couple of weeks ago.

Little bit a hatin' going on in this thread... a couple of you are cool... it'll be remembered.

Much like beaning McCutchen with a 101 MPH fastball in the 9th when you're up 3-0. We'll see what happens.

GO BUCS.

Nice win for the Reds tonight. The strikeout and then let the batter get to 1st almost really hurt the reds tonight. Good thing the Old men showed up today (Rolen and Cairo).

Let"s see the reds gave the Buccs no Bruce, no Votto, and no Phillips and they Lost yesterday

Tonight was McCutchen's I'm so angry Im going 9 homeruns and there was no Votto and No Phillips again and the Buccos still lost (What a bush league shove by the pitcher who gave up the winning run)

Tomorrow Break out the Brooms. Either way the Reds can either be 4.5 games up or 6.5 games up.

I'll pull for the Reds in the NL and the White Sox in the AL (mostly because I have a bet that anyone but the Tigers will in the Central....with the Indians dead and buried, the Sox are my only hope to win a whole meal of food from my nephew).

I could never bring myself to root for a team from Pittsburgh. Never.

Good luck Reds fans.

I know there's a lot of Dusty haters out there but I think he should be up for manager of the year after this recent winning streak.

No Votto, No Phillips, staying with Ludwick.

Time to extend the guy.

LOL, well, with all do respect to the pythagorean expectation, I think the Pirates are the better team. Again, I'm not that worried about St. Louis at this point.

What in the hell is the pythagorean expectation?

Thank You, New York, for giving us Burnett. 14-3 and our true stopper... though perhaps the pythagorean expectation points towards a comedown.

Good series, Reds fans... see you again in September.

GO BUCS.