Reds Get First Series Win

Sept 2:  Reds 4 Nationals 2

Reds took opening game 4-2 behind the pitching of Bronson Arroyo and the hitting of Drew Stubbs. Stubbs singled in the Reds first run in the 3rd and doubled in the next 2 runs in the Reds 3 run 5th inning. Cozart doubled in Stubbs for the Reds final run. Arroyo pitched 7 innings allowing a run in the first inning on Bryce Harper's sac fly and another run in the 7th on Adam LaRoche's double. Marshall came on to pitch a scoreless 8th and Aroldi Chapman struck out 2 in the 9th for the save.

Sept 3:  Reds 7 Nationals 4 

Johnny Cueto survived a shaky first inning and even though he walked 5 and hit 1, he was able to complete 6 innings and had off a 7-4 lead to his bullpen.  The first 4 batters Cueto faced in the first inning reached base but then a double play and pop out stopped the Nats cold. The Reds scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning on 4 singles, 2 doubles and an error by National right fielder Mike Morse. In the 5th Morse made another error as the Reds scored 3 more times. Brandon Phillips lead the Reds 13 hit attack with 3 hits while Zack Cozart, Tood Frazier and Ryan Hanigan each had 2.  Jonathan Broxton pitched 2 perfect innings for his first save of the year. Bryce Harper hit 2 run homer for the Nationals.

Sept 4:  Nationals 9 Reds 1

National bats beat frustration away hitting 4 home runs as Nationals routed the Reds to salvage the final game. The Nationals started quickly with the first 4 batters producing 4 runs as Werth doubled in 2 followed by Adam LaRoche's 2 run homer. Werth also had a later rbi single. Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Mike Morse all hit solo homers later in the game. Mike Gonzalez went the distance allowing only 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 7 and walking only 2. mat Latos had another disappointing start and Brandon Phillips was the only offensive spark with a single and a rbi double.