Ryan Ludwick shines as Cincinnati Reds beat San Diego Padres 6-4 - MLB Update
The Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, August 1, made another surprise comeback to beat the San Diego Padres by 6-4 at Great American Ball Park It was Ryan Ludwick who drove in four runs – coupled with a homer, to give another big victory to the club.
This was the second consecutive game when Ludwick drove in four runs at a time when the Reds are feeling the pinch as both Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips are not playing due to their respective injuries.
With the victory, the Reds now dominate the National League Central ranking with 63 wins, most wins in both the American and National Leagues; winning 19 of the last 22 games.
"With Joey out, it's been different people at different times," said Ludwick. "Phillips, myself, Zack Cozart, the pitching -- everybody's pitching in. Now, with Phillips out, it's even more important for everybody to pitch in."
Bronson Arroyo, the Reds’ starter, tried to contribute with his six-inning spell wherein he gave up four runs and seven hits. Chase Headley homered in the first inning to give the team a 2-0 lead which was brought down by Zack Cozart’s solo homer to 2-1.
Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer to give the team 3-2 lead by the end of first inning. Will Venable singled to centre to level the score while Chase Headley scored drove another run to give the Padres 4-3 lead in the fourth.
However, Jay Bruce made a comeback for the Reds in the fifth when he doubled to right to level the score following which Ryan Ludwick drove another run to make it 5-4 for the Reds.
Before the Padres could resettle, Ludwick had another run to his credit to give the team ultimate 6-4 lead, thereby paving the way for victory. The team manager, Dusty Baker, was obviously satisfied with the team’s performance.
"He's been an RBI man most of his career," Baker said. "This is the first time in the last couple of years where he wasn't traded at the deadline. He's doing everything in his power to try to find a home."
Kip Wells, the Padres' starter allowed five runs in his 4.1 inning spell, while Eric Stults gave up a run and a hit in the seventh.
Jonathan Broxton who was playing his first game for the Reds after being traded from Kansas City Royals had scoreless and hitless eighth to maintain the team’s lead.
Aroldis Chapman then had the second save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth to end the game with 6-4 win for the Reds, helping to secure a 2-1 lead in the four-game series against the San Diego Padres.
With the kind of performance that the Reds have recently maintained, they all set to win the series.
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