Reds 8, Dodgers 2: Devin Mesoraco and Todd Frazier drove in three runs apiece and Homer Bailey tossed eight solid innings as visiting Cincinnati overcame an early deficit to cruise past reeling Los Angeles.
After Frazier cut the Reds' deficit to 2-1 with an RBI single in the sixth inning, Mesoraco deposited a curveball from Chad Billingsley (4-8) down the third-base line for a double to plate Frazier and Miguel Cairo.
Frazier, who was playing in place of the injured Scott Rolen (back spasms), provided insurance with an RBI triple in the eighth inning and a run-scoring single in the ninth. Chris Heisey, Mesoraco and Cairo added RBI singles for the Reds, who improved to 3-2 on their West Coast trip and maintained a one-game lead over Pittsburgh in the National League Central.
Bailey (6-6) settled down after some early turbulence to snap a two-game losing skid. He allowed two runs on five hits and struck out eight to pick up the win.
The Reds received a scare after Zack Cozart was drilled in the helmet with a fastball from Billingsley in the fifth inning. Cozart remained on the ground for several moments before walking off the field. He was replaced by Wilson Valdez.
Jerry Hairston Jr. homered and Luis Cruz had a run-scoring sacrifice fly in his first at-bat as a member of the Dodgers, who fell for the 12th time in 14 games.
Billingsley dropped his fourth straight start after permitting three runs on eight hits in six innings.
Hairston got Billingsley off to a good start in the first inning by depositing a fastball from Bailey over the wall in left field.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker took issue with Tony La Russa after pitcher Johnny Cueto and second baseman Brandon Phillips were not selected to the National League All-Star roster. Baker claimed that his charges were left off the roster as a result of an August 2010 brawl between the Reds and La Russa's former club, the St. Louis Cardinals. ... Hairston's homer was his third of the season - and first since June 9.
Cincinnati | LA Dodgers | |
Homer Bailey | Player | Chad Billingsley |
Win | W/L | Loss |
8.0 | IP | 6.0 |
7 | Strikeouts | 8 |
5 | Hits | 8 |
2.25 | ERA | 4.50 |
Cincinnati | LA Dodgers | |
Todd Frazier | Player | James Loney |
3 | Hits | 2 |
3 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
5 | TB | 2 |
.600 | Avg | .667 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Cincinnati | 12 | 0 | 16 | .300 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
LA Dodgers | 6 | 1 | 9 | .200 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |