Great American Ballpark – Home of the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Game
2009

CINCINNATI (AP) — The price tag for Mat Latos was daunting. The Cincinnati Reds were willing to pay it.

The Reds addressed their biggest offseason need on Saturday, acquiring the right-handed starter from San Diego for a package of four players that includes two top prospects.

Cincinnati gave up infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal — both first-round picks — along with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez to get the 24-year-old Latos, who initially will move into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Johnny Cueto. Latos went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres last season, finishing among the NL leaders in ERA and strikeouts.

The trade surprised Latos, who said the Padres had indicated to him that he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

“A little bit of shock and a little bit of excitement,” Latos said, describing his reaction. “Shock because literally I wake up and I’m traded. Excitement because I’m excited to join a club that’s got a lot of talent and a lot of potential. I’m excited for new scenery.”

The Reds wanted him so badly that they were willing to give up a lot.

“To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent,” general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Latos joins a rotation that includes Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. The rotation was a problem last season, with Cueto opening the season on the disabled list and Arroyo struggling with mononucleosis that he contracted during spring training.

Heading into the offseason, the Reds needed to get another top starter and a closer to replace departed Francisco Cordero. They think they’ve filled their first need.

“When we have Cueto and Latos at the top of our rotation, I think people are going to take notice,” Jocketty said.

Latos tied a major league record by allowing two or fewer runs in 15 consecutive starts in 2010. Last season, he held right-handed batters to a .204 average and made 20 quality starts, tied for most on the Padres, who like their pitching depth.

“Mat, with all his success, I think grew up in a hurry in the big leagues and is probably going to do very well in Cincinnati,” Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said. “We do have a good group of pitchers. We have a very good group in Double-A coming up behind him. It was a tough trade to make, but … we have a huge chunk of talent we have put in the system the last couple of years and ultimately I think that’s our best path to success.”

Alonso, the seventh overall pick in 2008, didn’t have a place to play with Joey Votto a mainstay at first base. The Reds moved him to left field briefly last season, but he struggled defensively. The 24-year-old Alonso batted .330 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 47 games. Byrnes said he’ll be a leading contender for the starting job.

Volquez was coming off a disappointing season, going 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA. The Reds got him from Texas in the trade for Josh Hamilton in December 2007. Volquez went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008, when both he and Hamilton made the All-Star teams. Volquez needed reconstructive elbow surgery the following year and has never gotten back into form.

Grandal, the 12th overall pick in 2010, batted .305 with 14 homers and 68 RBIs at Class A, Double-A and Triple-A last season, making a quick rise through the farm system. He was slotted behind catcher Devin Mesoraco, a first-round pick in 2007 who made it to the majors last season and played in 18 games.

Jocketty said Reds were willing to trade Alonso and Grandal because they were stuck behind other players at their positions.

The Reds also gave up right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger, who went 2-4 with 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA last season at Double-A and Triple-A. Jocketty said Boxberger was the final piece in finishing the deal.

“It was very tough giving him up,” Jocketty said. “We feel he was really starting to come into his own in the second half of the year. I don’t think we would have been able to make the deal if he wasn’t part of it.”

Latos moves from a pitcher-friendly ballpark to Great American Ball Park, one of the most homer-friendly in the majors. He said he learned during a rough patch early last season that he couldn’t let a ballpark’s dimensions affect how he pitched.

“Earlier I was trying to be too fine with my pitches instead of just attacking with my strengths,” Latos said. “I learned to just trust myself and go after hitters regardless who it is or where we are. Cincinnati is said to be hitters’ park. Philly is the same way. That doesn’t mean where you’re at or the park you’re in to change your pitching style.”

CINCINNATI, Sept. 21 (UPI) — Bronson Arroyo pitched his first shutout of the season Wednesday, helping the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

Arroyo (9-12) didn’t give up a hit until the fifth inning and ended up with a six-hitter. He didn’t walk a batter.

It was his first shutout since 2009 and fourth over his 12-season career.

Houston had runners on first and third with one out in the eighth but Arroyo struck out Brian Bogusevic and Jordan Schafer — his only strikeouts of the game.

Brandon Phillips, who finished with three hits, led off the Cincinnati first with a single. After an out, he stole second and, after another out, scored on Chris Heisey’s base hit to center.

Miguel Cairo led off the second with his eighth home run of the season for the Reds’ other run.

Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez (11-11) then retired 11 consecutive batters before giving up another hit. He walked two in addition to giving up four hits and struck out four over seven innings in taking the loss.

Written by

The Sports Network

Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning that lifted the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

Joey Votto led off the 11th against James Russell (1-6) with a double to left-center field. Bruce connected on the next pitch for his 31st homer of the season, giving the Reds their third straight win over Chicago after losing the opener of the four-game series.

Nick Masset (3-5) pitched the 11th for the win.

The Cubs handed Francisco Cordero his first blown save since July 10 by scoring twice in the ninth to make it 6-all. Tony Campana led off with a pinch-hit single and scored on pinch-hitter Alfonso Soriano’s double. One out later, Darwin Barney chopped a tying single.

Cordero had successfully converted 16 consecutive save opportunities since the All-Star break.

Reds starter Homer Bailey, who hadn’t allowed more than two home runs in any of his previous 19 starts this season, gave up a pair in a span of four batters in the first inning.

Aramis Ramirez singled with two outs and Carlos Pena followed with his 28th home run of the season, a majestic 461-foot drive on a 3-2 pitch that landed in a party area on top of the center field batter’s eye.

Bryan LaHair kept the inning going with a single to center, extending his career-opening hitting streak to nine games, and Marlon Byrd hit the first pitch 414 feet into the Cincinnati bullpen in left-center field.

Bailey settled down and lasted six innings, giving up six hits and four runs with three walks and nine strikeouts, matching his season high.

Brandon Phillips hit his 16th home run, and fourth of the four-game series, in the third to cut Chicago’s lead to 4-1. Chris Heisey hit his 17th homer, and second in two nights, in the Reds fourth.

The Reds scored three times in the fifth. Bailey started the rally with a one-out single. Phillips doubled and Drew Stubbs hit an RBI single just over the glove of a leaping Starlin Castro at shortstop.

Votto walked to load the bases, and Wells walked Yonder Alonso to force in the tying run. Jeff Samardzija relieved Wells and got Heisey to hit a sharp one-hopper that glanced off the pitcher’s foot to Castro, whose throw to first wasn’t in time, allowing Stubbs to score the go-ahead run.

The Reds reached Randy Wells for seven hits and five runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 4 1-3 innings. He also threw a wild pitch.

The Reds added a run in the sixth when Paul Janish drew a leadoff walk, moved to third on Stubbs’ two-out single and scored on reliever John Gaub’s wild pitch.

NOTES: Soriano’s double was the 400th of his career. … Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo, scheduled to start against Milwaukee in Friday’s series opener, is coming off the shortest start of his career. He failed to get an out in the second inning of Cincinnati’s 12-7 loss Saturday at Colorado. … Cubs RHP Matt Garza is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA over his last three starts going into his appearance Friday against Houston at Chicago.

 

Matt Garza pitched eight strong innings, Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday.

Garza (8-10) gave up six hits and three runs — one earned — while striking out eight and walking three to win for just the second time at home since June 27. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save.

Ramirez had his two-run single in the fifth, walked twice and scored a run. Starlin Castro added a single, walk and two runs.

Dontrelle Willis (0-5) allowed six hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking five on a crisp day at Wrigley Field. Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI.

With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers.

Willis made his 200th career start looking for his first big-league win since June 5, 2010. He has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008.

The Reds haven’t scored more than three runs for Willis in any of his 11 starts this season.

Garza had his own problems with support this season, entering with just four wins in 14 starts at Wrigley Field despite a 2.76 home ERA.

Stubbs walked and scored on Alonso’s single in the first to get the Reds on the scoreboard first.

Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes.

The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded.

He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1.

Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally.

The Reds cut the lead to two when Alonso scored an unearned run on a Devin Mesoraco’s groundout in the seventh, the rookie’s first career RBI. Cincinnati pulled within a run when Castro misplayed Joey Votto’s grounder in the eighth, allowing Brandon Phillips to score.

Stubbs walked and stole second in the third, but ran the Reds out of a scoring opportunity by taking off for third on a routine fly out and getting doubled off second base. Stubbs struck out twice, increasing his NL-high total to 184.

NOTES: The Cubs activated RHP Andrew Cashner (strained right rotator cuff) from the 60-day disabled list. Cashner hasn’t pitched in the majors since suffering the injury on April 5, his only outing of the season. Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Red manager Dusty Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

Matt Garza pitched eight strong innings, Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday.

Garza (8-10) gave up six hits and three runs — one earned — while striking out eight and walking three to win for just the second time at home since June 27. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save.

Ramirez had his two-run single in the fifth, walked twice and scored a run. Starlin Castro added a single, walk and two runs.

Dontrelle Willis (0-5) allowed six hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking five on a crisp day at Wrigley Field. Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI.

With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers.

Willis made his 200th career start looking for his first big-league win since June 5, 2010. He has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008.

The Reds haven’t scored more than three runs for Willis in any of his 11 starts this season.

Garza had his own problems with support this season, entering with just four wins in 14 starts at Wrigley Field despite a 2.76 home ERA.

Stubbs walked and scored on Alonso’s single in the first to get the Reds on the scoreboard first.

Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes.

The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded.

He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1.

Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally.

The Reds cut the lead to two when Alonso scored an unearned run on a Devin Mesoraco’s groundout in the seventh, the rookie’s first career RBI. Cincinnati pulled within a run when Castro misplayed Joey Votto’s grounder in the eighth, allowing Brandon Phillips to score.

Stubbs walked and stole second in the third, but ran the Reds out of a scoring opportunity by taking off for third on a routine fly out and getting doubled off second base. Stubbs struck out twice, increasing his NL-high total to 184.

NOTES: The Cubs activated RHP Andrew Cashner (strained right rotator cuff) from the 60-day disabled list. Cashner hasn’t pitched in the majors since suffering the injury on April 5, his only outing of the season. Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Red manager Dusty Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

CHICAGO — Though it’s hard to tell from Dontrelle Willis’ record that he’s enjoying a comeback season, he’s not letting the numbers keep him down. Despite throwing seven solid innings, Willis again fell victim to control problems and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday. In his 200th big-league start, Willis (0-5) was still looking for his first win since June 5, 2010. Despite holding Chicago to four runs and striking out eight, he still searching, largely because he walked five. “I felt great,” Willis said. “I had a couple of mental lapses out there as far as pitch selection and it cost me. It’s just frustrating. It’s just one big inning cost us the game.” The Reds haven’t given Willis more than three runs of support in any of his 11 starts this season, but it was the lefty’s loss of command that cost him on Monday. “It’s just a situation where he just lost the strike zone, but then he got it back,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “They had the two-out rally, no one on base the next inning.” Matt Garza (8-10) pitched effectively into the eighth and Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single for the Cubs. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save. “Garza was fantastic,” Cubs manager Mike Quade said. “He pitched around a couple of mistakes. He hasn’t had many leads and he continues to pitch well.” Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, and Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI for the Reds. With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers, but Willis said the blustery conditions weren’t a factor. “I just try to throw the ball over the plate and pitch my game,” Willis said. “Nothing changes with the elements and stuff like that.” Willis has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year has been with three different teams since the start of last season but seems to have found a home in Cincinnati. He hasn’t allowed more than four earned runs in any of his 11 starts this season. “I have another start in four days,” Willis said. “I try to keep battling and prevent the big inning. Hopefully I get a ‘W’ out of it. You try to live and learn and stay positive for your teammates. I think that’s contagious for our ballclub. “It’s frustrating because I’ve pitched worse and worn. But at the same token, I like the way me and (rookie catcher Devin) Mesoraco worked back there today.” Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes. The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded. “He had great command of the strike zone until that inning, then just lost it in that one inning,” Baker said. “Fortunately for us, they only got the one run out of it but then they had the (three)-run rally with the possible windblown ball that could have been caught in left.” He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1. Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally. It was another tough loss for Willis, but he’s keeping his chin up. “This was my 200th big-league start, so I’m happy to have that longevity,” Willis said. “I’m going to continue to battle and fight and hopefully I’ll get won and then they’ll come in bunches.” NOTES: Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

CARDINALS vs. CINCINNATI REDS

At Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Scouting report — This is the start of a
10-day, nine-game trip that takes the Reds from Busch to Wrigley
Field and then out west for a weekend against the Colorado Rockies.
… Tonight’s starter, Johnny Cueto, leads the National League with
a 2.05 ERA. He would be the first Cincy starter to lead the league
in ERA since 1944. … The Reds promoted eight September callups
from Class AAA Louisville. The group included top prospects Devin
Mesoraco, a catcher, and Juan Francisco, a third baseman. Edinson
Volquez and Travis Wood, two former major leaguers, are also
earmarked for promotions from Triple A. … Cincy closer Francisco
Cordero has converted a dozen consecutive saves since the All-Star
break. … Scott Rolen remains on the disabled list after requiring
shoulder surgery on Aug. 3 to remove bone spurs and loose
fragments. … Dusty Baker is eight wins shy of tying Hall of Famer
Earl Weaver for 21st all-time.

Projected pitching matchups:

Today, 7:15 p.m. — RH Chris Carpenter (8-9,
3.76 ERA) vs. RH Johnny Cueto (9-5, 2.05)

Saturday, 3:10 p.m. — LH Jaime Garcia (10-7,
3.73) vs. RH Homer Bailey (7-6, 4.35)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m. — RH Edwin Jackson (4-2,
3.57) vs. RH Bronson Arroyo (8-11, 5.13)

Derrick Goold

CINCINNATI — In two games, the Cincinnati Reds have managed only one run and four hits off Philadelphia’s starters. No wonder that winning streak hit the wall. Roy Halladay allowed only a pair of hits in seven innings and drove in three runs with the second double of his career on Tuesday night, leading the Phillies to a 9-0 victory over a Cincinnati team that can’t handle Philadelphia’s fabulous rotation. “Their pitching staff is where it’s at,” Reds starter Bronson Arroyo said. “When you’ve got three guys that could probably win the Cy Young and be as consistent as they’ve been all year, it’s very hard to beat those guys on a consistent basis.” The Reds had won four in a row before the Phillies came to town and took over. Halladay (16-5) gave up Brandon Phillips’ leadoff single in the first inning, then dominated the team he no-hit in the playoffs last season. His bases-loaded double in the sixth inning off Arroyo (8-11) made it 6-0. Ryan Howard hit two of the Phillies’ four homers, giving him 29 for the season. He also reached 100 RBIs for the sixth straight year, a team record. Howard had been tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Klein for consecutive 100-RBI seasons. Raul Ibanez returned from a strained groin and had a two-run homer among his three hits. Hunter Pence also hit a solo homer off Arroyo, who has given up the most in the majors. The Phillies improved to 5-1 against the Reds this season and 19-6 lately. They swept their three-game division series last season, which started with Halladay throwing the second postseason no-hitter in history. When he gets together with the Reds, memorable things tend to happen. Any thoughts of another no-hitter were dismissed on his second pitch. Phillips singled to right field, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest by a Red this season. The Reds wouldn’t get another hit until Joey Votto doubled in the seventh. Halladay walked two, hit one batter and fanned nine. “Halladay wasn’t sharp early,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He threw a lot of pitches. It’s always a game changer when you get on a guy like that early.” Cincinnati couldn’t do it. The Reds managed four hits while getting blanked for the seventh time. Philadelphia’s 18 shutouts lead the majors. Halladay will remember this one more for his swing. He came to bat in the sixth with the bases loaded and lined a down-the-middle slider the opposite way into the right-field corner, producing his first RBIs of the season and ending Arroyo’s outing. The right-hander fell to 1-7 career against the Phillies. Howard connected off Arroyo in the fourth, a two-run homer that carried out. “I didn’t think that Howard’s was out,” Arroyo said. “In this ballpark, you hope the wind will keep it in. It was straight up. It just got out.” Pence hit a chest-high pitch for a homer that started the rally in the sixth — the exact pitch that Arroyo wanted to throw. “Hunter is kind of a strange hitter,” Arroyo said. “He hits some balls that you think are going to bounce. He just hit it out of the park. That’s the way it goes with guys like that sometimes, you know. They’re so unorthodox. He’s hitting ball like Vladimir Guerrero hit, balls that shouldn’t be hit.” Arroyo has given up 36 homers, the most ever by a Reds right-hander. Left-hander Eric Milton holds the franchise record of 40 homers allowed.

Published 1:44am Wednesday, August 31, 2011

CINCINNATI (AP) — In two games, the Cincinnati Reds have managed only one run and four hits off Philadelphia’s starters.

No wonder that winning streak hit the wall.

Roy Halladay allowed only a pair of hits in seven innings and drove in three runs with the second double of his career on Tuesday night, leading the Phillies to a 9-0 victory over a Cincinnati team that can’t handle Philadelphia’s fabulous rotation.

“Their pitching staff is where it’s at,” Reds starter Bronson Arroyo said. “When you’ve got three guys that could probably win the Cy Young and be as consistent as they’ve been all year, it’s very hard to beat those guys on a consistent basis.”

The Reds had won four in a row before the Phillies came to town and took over.

Halladay (16-5) gave up Brandon Phillips’ leadoff single in the first inning, then dominated the team he no-hit in the playoffs last season. His bases-loaded double in the sixth inning off Arroyo (8-11) made it 6-0.

Ryan Howard hit two of the Phillies’ four homers, giving him 29 for the season. He also reached 100 RBIs for the sixth straight year, a team record. Howard had been tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Klein for consecutive 100-RBI seasons.

Raul Ibanez returned from a strained groin and had a two-run homer among his three hits. Hunter Pence also hit a solo homer off Arroyo, who has given up the most in the majors.

The Phillies improved to 5-1 against the Reds this season and 19-6 lately. They swept their three-game division series last season, which started with Halladay throwing the second postseason no-hitter in history.

When he gets together with the Reds, memorable things tend to happen.

Any thoughts of another no-hitter were dismissed on his second pitch. Phillips singled to right field, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest by a Red this season. The Reds wouldn’t get another hit until Joey Votto doubled in the seventh. Halladay walked two, hit one batter and fanned nine.

“Halladay wasn’t sharp early,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He threw a lot of pitches. It’s always a game changer when you get on a guy like that early.”

Cincinnati couldn’t do it. The Reds managed four hits while getting blanked for the seventh time. Philadelphia’s 18 shutouts lead the majors.

Halladay will remember this one more for his swing.

He came to bat in the sixth with the bases loaded and lined a down-the-middle slider the opposite way into the right-field corner, producing his first RBIs of the season and ending Arroyo’s outing.

The right-hander fell to 1-7 career against the Phillies.

Howard connected off Arroyo in the fourth, a two-run homer that carried out.

“I didn’t think that Howard’s was out,” Arroyo said. “In this ballpark, you hope the wind will keep it in. It was straight up. It just got out.”

Pence hit a chest-high pitch for a homer that started the rally in the sixth — the exact pitch that Arroyo wanted to throw.

“Hunter is kind of a strange hitter,” Arroyo said. “He hits some balls that you think are going to bounce. He just hit it out of the park. That’s the way it goes with guys like that sometimes, you know. They’re so unorthodox. He’s hitting ball like Vladimir Guerrero hit, balls that shouldn’t be hit.”

Arroyo has given up 36 homers, the most ever by a Reds right-hander. Left-hander Eric Milton holds the franchise record of 40 homers allowed.

Notes: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski shagged balls during batting practice and threw a ceremonial pitch. … It was Howard’s third multihomer game of the season and the 28th of his career. … After the game, the Phillies optioned RH Michael Schwimer to Triple-A. They’ll make a corresponding move on Wednesday. … The Phillies will start LH Cliff Lee in their third game against Cincinnati on Wednesday. Lee has won his last five starts. He beat the Reds on May 26 in Philadelphia, improving to 5-2 career against them. … Cincinnati will start left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who is still trying for that elusive first win of the season. He’s 0-3 after nine starts. The bullpen has blown three save chances behind him. … Paul Janish pinch-hit and flied out, leaving the Reds SS in an 0-for-23 rut.

Roy Halladay allowed only a pair of hits in seven innings and drove in three runs with the second double of his career on Tuesday night, leading the Phillies to a 9-0 victory over a Cincinnati team that can’t handle Philadelphia’s fabulous rotation.

“Their pitching staff is where it’s at,” Reds starter Bronson Arroyo said. “When you’ve got three guys that could probably win the Cy Young and be as consistent as they’ve been all year, it’s very hard to beat those guys on a consistent basis.”

The Reds had won four in a row before the Phillies came to town and took over.

Halladay (16-5) gave up Brandon Phillips’ leadoff single in the first inning, then dominated the team he no-hit in the playoffs last season. His bases-loaded double in the sixth inning off Arroyo (8-11) made it 6-0.

Ryan Howard hit two of the Phillies’ four homers, giving him 29 for the season. He also reached 100 RBIs for the sixth straight year, a team record. Howard had been tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Klein for consecutive 100-RBI seasons.

Raul Ibanez returned from a strained groin and had a two-run homer among his three hits. Hunter Pence also hit a solo homer off Arroyo, who has given up the most in the majors.

The Phillies improved to 5-1 against the Reds this season and 19-6 lately. They swept their three-game division series last season, which started with Halladay throwing the second postseason no-hitter in history.

When he gets together with the Reds, memorable things tend to happen.

Any thoughts of another no-hitter were dismissed on his second pitch. Phillips singled to right field, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest by a Red this season. The Reds wouldn’t get another hit until Joey Votto doubled in the seventh. Halladay walked two, hit one batter and fanned nine.

“Halladay wasn’t sharp early,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He threw a lot of pitches. It’s always a game changer when you get on a guy like that early.”

Cincinnati couldn’t do it. The Reds managed four hits while getting blanked for the seventh time. Philadelphia’s 18 shutouts lead the majors.

Halladay will remember this one more for his swing.

He came to bat in the sixth with the bases loaded and lined a down-the-middle slider the opposite way into the right-field corner, producing his first RBIs of the season and ending Arroyo’s outing. The right-hander fell to 1-7 career against the Phillies.

Howard connected off Arroyo in the fourth, a two-run homer that carried out.

“I didn’t think that Howard’s was out,” Arroyo said. “In this ballpark, you hope the wind will keep it in. It was straight up. It just got out.”

Pence hit a chest-high pitch for a homer that started the rally in the sixth — the exact pitch that Arroyo wanted to throw.

“Hunter is kind of a strange hitter,” Arroyo said. “He hits some balls that you think are going to bounce. He just hit it out of the park. That’s the way it goes with guys like that sometimes, you know. They’re so unorthodox. He’s hitting ball like Vladimir Guerrero hit, balls that shouldn’t be hit.”

Arroyo has given up 36 homers, the most ever by a Reds right-hander. Left-hander Eric Milton holds the franchise record of 40 homers allowed.

Notes: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski shagged balls during batting practice and threw a ceremonial pitch. … It was Howard’s third multihomer game of the season and the 28th of his career. … After the game, the Phillies optioned RH Michael Schwimer to Triple-A. They’ll make a corresponding move on Wednesday. … The Phillies will start LH Cliff Lee in their third game against Cincinnati on Wednesday. Lee has won his last five starts. He beat the Reds on May 26 in Philadelphia, improving to 5-2 career against them. … Cincinnati will start left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who is still trying for that elusive first win of the season. He’s 0-3 after nine starts. The bullpen has blown three save chances behind him. … Paul Janish pinch-hit and flied out, leaving the Reds SS in an 0-for-23 rut.

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