Mat Latos shines as Cincinnati Reds defeat Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 – MLB Update
Mat Latos put in a brilliant performance as he managed to strike-out 11 and lead the Cincinnati Reds to a shut-out victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 on May 6, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He satisfied Dusty Baker by getting two hits in the six innings and by doing three relievers which stacked the team’s strike-out total to 17, tying the club record for a nine inning game.
Out of 17 strike-outs, the biggest one happened in the first innings. Third baseman Todd Frazier took an amazing diving catch which cost the Pittsburgh Pirates their first out, although Casey McGehee hit the ball so hard that even Latos looked at the ball
just see whether Todd gets a chance even to lift his hand to catch it.
Mat Latos managed to give 100 percent in the game although he was having a queasy stomach. His manager Dusty Baker said, ''Sometimes when guys don't feel quite right, a lot of times they throw their best games,''. He also said ''You settle down, you're concentrating,
you try not to overthrow because you don't have the strength to do so.''
During the innings Latos’ manager joked by calling him “Michael Jordan” in the dugout but Latos ensured his coach that he was still in the game and feeling ok.
About the catch Todd had to say "Luckily I got it in the glove. It almost snuck out at the end. I was holding it up there, trying to let him know. I knew Matty would do his thing. Whatever you can do to help is great, and he can help himself."
Drew Stubbs also contributed in Cincinnati’s win by hitting three hits, which also includes a two-run homer and scored three times for his team. Frazier played his part in the win by hitting his first home-run of this season.
Charlie Morton had a hard time. He gave up five runs, four earned on seven hit in the sixth innings. It was a disappointing performance from the Morton side as he dominated in the game against the Cincinnati Reds last year by shutting them twice in the game.
Eyes are on Latos as how he is going to play against the Brewers on the opening game of a three match series on May 7.
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