Bailey Butchers Braves
Homer Bailey (AP Photo)
It could be said that the Atlanta Braves went from Cincinnati’s best friend to their worst enemy on Monday. Atlanta just finished a weekend sweep of Cincinnati’s biggest rival, the St. Louis Cardinals and now took aim at the second place team in the NL central. Homer Bailey would have a say in that though, as the Red’s young pitcher threw his best game of the season last night. Bailey, who many believe is in a make or break contract year, allowed only one run in over six innings of work. The Braves came into Monday with hot bats and boasted the second most runs scored in the National League, but Bailey did a great job of keeping Atlanta off-balance all night. The Brave’s only real threat came in the eighth inning when Aroldis Chapman loaded the bases, but he made quick work of young stud Jason Heyward, to end the threat promptly.
Brandon Phillips, who is an Atlanta native, had a nice homecoming by sparking the only Red’s rally with a towering double off the centerfield wall, that gave Cincinnati the lead for good. “It feels good to do something here,” he said. “This was a big win for us.”
Brandon Phillips (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Sean Marshall recorded his sixth save of the year and the Reds are now on a two game winning streak.
Player of the Game: Homer Bailey
Bailey pitched brilliantly and with his team only providing one run of support, he kept Cincinnati in it until the bats finally came alive in the late innings. Homer has now quietly achieved five quality starts in the back of the Red’s rotation.
The Reds finish up a short series with the Braves tonight at Turner Field in Atlanta.
Tuesday’s Probable Starters
Johnny Cueto 4-0 (1.12 ERA)
Tim Hudson 1-1 (4.50 ERA)
Tuesday’s matchup should be an extremely low scoring affair with two of the best aces in the National League going toe to toe. Cueto will also look to improve on his MLB leading starter’s ERA of 1.12.
