Postgame Report: CIN (-165) Winner

Cincinnati blanked the Marlins this afternoon to split a four game series.  The win keeps the Reds two games above .500 at 48-46 with three to play before the All-Star break.  They'll host the Rockies over the weekend and could move five games over .500 with a sweep of Colorado.  It's wishful thinking but also probable. The Rockies have been swept 13 times this season.

Nick Lodolo had a nice start for Cincinnati, he only allowed three hits in six innings and didn't allow a walk.  The Reds went to the bullpen in the seventh with a 6-0 lead.  Lodolo had thrown 91 pitches.  With a big lead there was no reason to stretch the lefty.  

The Reds bullpen escaped without allowing a run but they didn't pitch all that well.  Graham Ashcraft loaded the bases in the seventh and got a double play ball to end the inning.  Santillan got a double play in the eighth.  Barlow issued a walk in the ninth.  Four walks and two strikeouts over three scoreless innings.  Credit the Reds defense for closing this one out.

Cal Quantrill pitched better than the numbers tell it.  He had only thrown 62 pitches through five innings.  He loaded the bases to start the sixth and it was De La Cruz at the plate with nobody out.  Quantrill worked De La Cruz to a full count before giving up a base hit that scored two.  He worked Austin Hays to a full count and with first base open, Quantrill made a good pitch, high and tight with the changeup.  Hays put some wood on it for a base hit that scored two more runs. Marlins closer Ronny Henriquez got the call and struck out three in relief to close the inning but the damage was done.  Quantrill relinquished seven hits and five earned runs on the night.  

The Marlins' bullpen pitched well in relief but Miami didn't hit tonight and that was the difference.  I watched a couple sequences from Lodolo, he has an odd repetoire of fastballs, sinkers and curveballs.  He works up and down, left and right and seems to be wild with his pitches but he doesn't walk anybody.  He's pitching.  I don't think he lacks control of his pitches.  I think he is thinking out there and is moving the ball around the zone in ways that many pitchers who lack command can't.  This is the same pitcher who leads the MLB in hit batsman.  He isn't afraid to peg you, he works the entire strikezone and he is effective because of it.  It's impressive in my opinion and moves Lodolo up a peg in the echelon of MLB starters.  I'll be looking out for Lodolo in the second half.  

Two wins in a row and two nice wins, up to 2.94 units in play.  We'll see if we can make it three in a row on Friday.

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