Bronson Arroyo sparks as Cincinnati Reds defeat Los Angeles Angels 6-4 – MLB Update
The Cincinnati Reds commenced the three-game series against Los Angeles on Monday, June 13, with an emphatic 6-4 win at Dodger Stadium.
Bronson Arroyo remained exhilarating and outpitched his rival Hiroki Kuroda and singled home to win the game.
"I felt good out there today," Arroyo said. "I was disappointed in the first because I felt good. I couldn't believe I gave up one run in the first inning. Hitting Kemp was terrible with two outs. After that, I kind of settled in a little bit."
If anything that went to the Reds’ favour, it was Arroyo being both resilient and unyielding in a game that was not one-way traffic. The Angels stood, fought and resisted until the Reds’ defence completely prevailed.
"They've thrown well. They threw well in San Francisco," Votto said. "Obviously Bronson threw well tonight. You hope for that every time. Our offense is necessary but the team's priority is always pitching and defense."
While Arroyo was looking forward to a forceful game, James Loney singled to centre in the very first inning, giving an early 1-0 lead to the Angels. However, Paul Janish quickly sprang back, singling to centre when the starter Hiroki Kuroda came out to pitch.
Arroyo then kept the game in his exclusive domain whereby it became intensely difficult for the Angels’ offence to play comfortably. Arroyo allowed the second run in the fourth inning whereby Juan Uribe grounded into a double play to score.
However, Chris Heisey homered in the sixth inning to level the score for the Reds following which Arroyo pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
Arroyo then did not confine his role as a pitcher only, as he earned a tiebreaking single to right in the seventh inning, hitting his rival Hiroki Kuroda fastball to right. Once the Reds took a 3-2 lead, Joey Votto contributed something greater.
Votto hit a three-run homer to take up the lead to 6-2 in the seventh inning. Once emboldened their position, the Reds kept Arroyo in place to pitch. Arroyo pitched a shut-out seventh inning, maintaining the 6-2 lead for the Reds.
In the eighth inning Dee Gordon and Aaron Miles scored a single each for the Los Angeles Angels. Gordon tripled to deep right and Miles hit a sacrifice fly to add runs. Once the score went to 6-4, Cincinnati Reds overhauled their strategy.
Francisco Cordero was brought in to pitch in the ninth inning. He pitched a shut-out inning to give 6-4 victory to the Cincinnati Reds in the first of three-game series.
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