The Cincinnati Reds are going home with a 2-0 lead after defeating the San Francisco Giants 9-0 on Sunday. They had their offense and pitching going, but their hurler Bronson Arroyo had an excellent outing and was the most valuable player in the game.
Arroyo went seven innings giving up just one hit, one walk and finished with four strikeouts. He did it while only throwing 91 pitches.
The Reds' bats were also alive and well during this game. They were pretty hard to quiet, especially late in the game.
The best sign of the day for the Reds was Joey Votto going 3-4 with two runs scored. Many have questioned his health coming into the playoffs, but he answered critics with the way he swung the bat at the plate.
Ryan Ludwick got the scoring party started for the Reds with a solo home run in the top of the second. That was all that Arroyo really needed as he went 4.2 of perfect baseball until Brandon Belt got a hit.
The Reds put the game away for good in the eighth inning as they added five runs, giving their pitching staff enough cushion. More importantly, they did not have to use Aroldis Chapman who threw 28 pitches in Game 1.
Game 3 will be on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CTs. The Giants' season will be in Ryan Vogelsong's hands. Meanwhile, Homer Bailey could get the Cincinnati Reds one step closer to the World Series.
