Dodgers 3, Reds 1: Luis Cruz ripped an RBI double to snap a tie and then stole home in the seventh inning as host Los Angeles posted just its third victory in 15 games.
After Bobby Abreu tied the contest with an RBI single in the sixth, Cruz gave the Dodgers the lead by depositing an offering from Johnny Cueto (9-5) into the left-center field gap. James Loney lumbered around from first base to score and Cruz advanced to third on the throw.
Cruz didn't stay there long as he was credited with stealing home on a suicide squeeze attempt after Cueto's pitch eluded catcher Ryan Hanigan.
Brandon Phillips opened the scoring after turning on a low fastball from starter Chris Capuano and sending it into the left-center field gap. Cueto came around to score to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.
Scott Elbert (1-1) picked up the win after retiring the lone batter he faced in the seventh inning.
After expressing his distain for being left off the National League All-Star roster, Cueto pitched well before running into trouble in the seventh. He allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out seven.
Joey Votto had a pair of hits in his return from a two-game absence due to inflammation in his left knee. Ryan Ludwick also had two hits for the Reds, who fell into a first-place tie with Pittsburgh in the National League Central.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Reds SS Zach Cozart returned after being drilled by a fastball from Chad Billingsley on Tuesday. Cozart went 1-for-4. ... Los Angeles placed reliever Todd Coffey on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow soreness and recalled fellow RHP Shawn Tolleson from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Cincinnati | LA Dodgers | |
Johnny Cueto | Player | Chris Capuano |
Loss | W/L | No Decision |
7.0 | IP | 6.0 |
7 | Strikeouts | 6 |
7 | Hits | 6 |
3.86 | ERA | 1.50 |
Cincinnati | LA Dodgers | |
Ryan Ludwick | Player | Elian Herrera |
2 | Hits | 2 |
0 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
2 | TB | 2 |
.500 | Avg | 1.000 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Cincinnati | 7 | 0 | 8 | .212 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
LA Dodgers | 7 | 0 | 8 | .233 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |