Mat Latos shines as Cincinnati Reds thrash the Pittsburgh Pirates with 3-0 win – MLB News
The Cincinnati Reds' starter Mat Latos on Friday, August 3, pitched scoreless 7.1 innings and hit a two-run homer to thrash the Pittsburgh Pirates by 3-0 at Great American Ball Park. Latos gave up only four hits and smashed a two-run homer in the fifth inning to give a majestic victory in the opener of the three-game series.
Chris Heisey hit an inside-the-park homer to give the team an early 1-0 lead followed by Latos’ two-run homer in the fifth to give the team a supposedly safe 3-0 lead.
If anything was left to be done, it was to be expected from the Reds’ bullpen which did not disappoint the fans either, as Jonathan Broxton threw a hitless eighth and Aroldis Chapman got the 24th save of the season.
But it was Mat Latos who outperformed the rivals on Friday in his 7.1 inning magical spell, allowing only four hits and going for five strike-outs. With the majestic win, he now has a 10-3 record this season.
"Fastball command and getting strike one was a big key," Latos said. "My slider wasn't as sharp as normal. My breaking ball wasn't was sharp, but the defense was stellar today."
Wandy Rodriguez who was pitching his second game for the Pirates is 0-1 now, losing his last four decisions. He pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits and three runs with 3.82 ERA.
That which came as a surprise for him was the Reds’ starter Latos’ big two-run homer. "I was surprised he swung," Rodriguez said. "It was a fastball on the outside of the plate. That was a big, big mistake. I was really surprised."
This was the 14th win for the Cincinnati Reds in the last 15 games they have played, being top on the National League Central ranking currently. With the win, they are now four and a half games ahead over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Since 1999, this is for the first that the Reds are having .500. Such impressive record for the Reds places them uniquely in the National League.
Friday’s strong start has now given them 1-0 lead over the Pirates in the three-game series. The Pirates are expected to make a rebound in Saturday’s game.
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