Cincinnati Reds' manager Dusty Baker all praise for Mat Latos – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds' manager Dusty Baker on Saturday, October 6, lauded Mat Latos for his exceptionally great pitching in the Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants.
At AT&T Park, San Francisco, California , the Reds handed 5-2 defeat to the Giants, strengthening their grip on the five-game NLDS. Latos came after the starter Johnny Cueto exited the Game 1 in the very first inning due to back spasm.
Latos who was scheduled to start next week came down hard in his 4.1 innings, surrendering only a run to virtually incapacitate the Giants' offence, helping the team maintain its lead throughout the game.
"We were just fortunate to win that game, like the way we did tonight, and you got to give big props to Latos," Baker said. "Here is a guy sitting back, relaxed, thinking he was going to pitch next week at home and now all of the sudden, boom, this is his first playoff game. It was a great feat by him."
Latos had a history of pitching against the San Francisco Giants, a nemesis that both he and the Giants know well. He said he felt comfortable while pitching.
"I felt real comfortable. It's a team I've pitched well against and I've pitched against a lot," Latos said. "I'm glad I got the loudest boo. It's been weak for the last couple years."
Reds were undeniably faced with an unprecedented challenge here due to the fact that their ace pitcher had to leave early. While this was not anticipated, Dusty Baker relied on a pitcher who has been incredibly effective the whole year.
Latos has 14-4 record, one of the best in the National League with 3.48 ERA, having had 185 strike-outs with 1.16 WHIP.
With the win, the Reds will now have Bronson Arroyo to start in the Game 2. A lot will of course depend on the strong rotation and equally effective Reds' bullpen to prevail over the San Francisco Giants.
It will be interesting to see if the Reds show the same performance in Game 2 as they did here at AT&T Park.
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