Mike Leake gave the Reds a real shot in the arm Friday. Back from the minors, Leake pitched six innings of one run baseball, thus easing the burden on a tired bullpen as Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray, Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero got the final nine outs in the Reds 5-1 win over Atlanta.
It's just the second win in the last 10 for Cincinnati but a much needed one. The Braves -- one of the better fielding teams in the NL -- helped the Reds out by committing three errors. Ramon Hernandez provided the Reds some much needed insurance with a 2-run homer in the 9th off Braves closer Craig Kimbrel (the first he'd given up all year).
It was a good start to the final leg of the road trip and while it's premature to talk about a sweep, you can't help but wish for one as it would benefit the Reds to win 10 of it's next 12 in order to stay in the NL Central race. A streak like that would help make this road trip a faded memory but it won't be easy. Cincinnati comes home Monday to face the Brewers and Zach Greinke (3-1) not to mention Shawn Marcum (6-2) on Wednesday; and begin the Dodgers series Friday versus their ace Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 2.96 ERA). How they'll do will depend on the banged up and struggling starting pitching. Fans have to hope Leake's performance is a sign of things to come from this staff.
Jeremy Horst is on fire! He must be hanging around Leake. We have such great depth.
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