Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
The Cincinnati Reds (92-60) can add another title to their storied history, as they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 Saturday afternoon and won the Central Division title for the second time in the last three years.
It was a third straight banner pitching job turned in by a Cincinnati Reds’ starters. After following 6 scoreless innings from Johnny Cueto and 7 scoreless from Bronson Arroyo, Mat Latos may well have turned in his best performance on the mound by going 8 scoreless to pick up his 13th win for the season. The #2 starter for the Reds allowed 6 hits, while striking out 7 and walking none as he lowered his ERA to 3.60.
Aroldis Chapman returned to the mound after suffering shoulder fatigue and pitched the 9th. He is still not fully back as he walked one batter, but he kept the goose egg on the board for the Dodgers. Hopefully he will return to form in the next week before the playoffs begin.
At the plate the Cincinnati Reds were led by Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce as both went yard. Todd Frazier did his part by going 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and Zack Cozart returned to action by going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. It was good to see him back in the line up. They will need him in the post-season.
What the Cincinnati Reds didn’t have back was Dusty Baker as he is still recovering from the heart ailments that has sidelined him for the last four games. Hopefully he will return to the team tomorrow for the final game of the series with the Dodgers.
The Reds will celebrate their win for the evening, but will now turn their attention to gaining the number one seed for the playoffs. As it stands, they are a game back in the loss column with the Washington Nationals.
