Mat Latos accepts responsibility for Cincinnati Reds’ ouster from the season – NLDS Update
Cincinnati Reds' starter Mat Latos on Thursday, October 11, took all the blame for the result of National League Division Series Game 5 against San Francisco Giants, which had resulted in the team’s 6-4 defeat.
The series was standing tied 2-2 and it was Latos who was tasked to start Game 5. However, it was a day which was far from auspicious for him. Standing on the mound, Latos surrendered all six runs that ultimately resulted in the team’s unceremonious loss.
But above all, it was Buster Posey’s grand slam into left field seats that shattered the dreams of Cincinnati Reds for getting into the National League Championship Series and potentially, to the World Series.
"I let a couple of things get to me that shouldn't have," Latos said. "I made a mistake to Posey and he hit a grand slam. The only thing I can really say is I let down everybody. I let down the team, most importantly and the front office and the fans. I let things get to me. One hundred percent of this game is on me. I [messed] it up."
Remaining as strong and effective as he was throughout the regular season, Latos had a wonderful 14-4 record with 3.48 ERA. In retrospect, that was an altogether good record.
Latos had pitched in Game 1 of the NLDS wherein he held back the Giants' batters. However, Game 5, wherein he once again had his rival in Giants’ starter Matt Cain, Latos could not quite give his best.
It was Latos who surrendered the six runs which ultimately proved costly, resulting in the team’s elimination from the season. Latos did not shy away from accepting the responsibility for whatever went wrong.
He said, “It was a mental error on me. I'm not making excuses. I screwed it up. This game is 100 percent on me. I let down my teammates, and that's what bugs me the most right now."
With the result, Latos will now have things to deliberate on and weigh the future as the Reds make their own calculations.
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