Jay Bruce smashes three-run homer to help Cincinnati Reds beat New York Mets 3-0 – MLB News
Jay Bruce on Tuesday, August 14, hit a massive three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to bestow a 3-0 win on Cincinnati Reds against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. Bruce’s homer came at a time when there seemed virtual hitting and run-scoring drought in the pitchers-dominated game.
"That's great for us and great for him," the team manager Dusty Baker said. "That's great for his confidence. He's had chances. He just hadn't been swinging the bat well. We'd like to get him swinging well."
Bruce was missing the magical touch until the last week, prompting the team manager to give him two-days off.
He was brought back in the last game of the four-match series against the Chicago Cubs wherein he hit a two-run homer that gave the team 3-0 win. With Tuesday’s impressive performance, Bruce made it fourth career game-ending homer.
Matt Latos pitched perfectly for the Cincinnati Reds, allowing only five hits in his seven-inning spell, while New York Mets' Chris Young gave up eight hits in his 5.2 inning spell. For Latos, team victory was more important.
"I could care less about (personal) wins," he said. "As long as we win, you could put an infielder on the mound. Winning is all that matters to me."
It was Sean Marshall who pitched the eighth for the Reds, not allowing any run or hit with two strike-outs. While Jose Arredondo of the Reds was able to pitch a scoreless ninth, for the Mets’ bullpen, holding back the aggressive Reds offence did not seem easy.
Jay Bruce executed the three-run homer in the ninth to end the game with 3-0 win for the Reds, scoring the first victory in the three-game series. The win also gave the Reds a six-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates – that stand second in the NL Central Ranking.
Tuesday’s win for Reds coincided with the Pirates 11-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, making it even closer for the Reds to qualify for the playoffs.
With 1-0 lead in the three-game series now, the Reds will play the second game on Wednesday.
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