The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-2 in Game 1 of the NLDS thanks to a key offensive performance from their second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Phillips put the Reds ahead in the fourth inning for good hitting a 2-run homer off of Matt Cain who hung a breaking ball over the heart of the plate.
Later, to give the Reds more cushion, Philips came up with a huge opposite field single that plated in a run giving the Reds a 4-1 lead in the top of the ninth.
For the first time in MLB history, a team won a game after having their pitching only record one out.
Another hero of the night was the supposed Game 3 starter, Matt Latos, who came into the game in the second inning in relief of Johnny Cueto and Sam LeCure. No, Cueto did not get rocked, the Reds would have probably preferred this. Their ace left after eight pitches and recording just one out after he grabbed his back and grimmiced after a pitch in the first inning.
LeCure pitched 1.2 innings allowing three runners on one hit and two walks. Latos then took over in the third and took it all the way to the sixth inning. He only gave up one run on four hits while walking one and striking out one.
His only blemish was giving up a homerun to Buster Posey. Aside from that, the Giant bats were quiet.
Posey had a chance to tie the game in the ninth with the bases loaded and Aroldis Chapman trying to close out the game. He swung at a high fastball, however, to end the game.
Bronson Arroyo will take the mound tomorrow for Game 2. The Giants will have Madison Bumgarner.
We will bring you updates on the severity of Cueto's injury.
