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Reds’ Three Homers In 10th Inning Reignite NL’s Most Potent Offense

Jun 22, 2010, 3:40 PM UTC

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â†µLet’s be honest, did anyone really think the Cincinnati Reds would be a game out of first place in the NL Central on June 22nd? Sure some people – myself included (pats back) – thought the Reds would be better this year and maybe contend for a wild card spot, but this team might just be able to win their division. If they do so, it will be riding a lineup full of mashers.â†µâ†µThe Reds’ hot bats were on a recent cold spell, producing just three runs over a 39-inning span, but woke up in the 10th inning of Monday night’s 6-4 victory over the A’s. The much-needed offensive barrage gave the Reds just their eighth win in 19 games in June and keeps them a game behind the first-place Cardinals.â†µ

â†µâ†µâ‡¥“It seems like it’s never been easy the whole year,” said Reds manager Dusty Baker, who moved into a tie with Chuck Tanner for 26th place on the all-time win list. “As long as you get done and come up with the W. We had some guys come up big.”â†µâ‡¥â†µâ‡¥Baker was referring to Ramon Hernandez, Joey Votto and Scott Rolen. All three homered in the four-run 10th for a 6-2 lead.â†µâ‡¥

â†µâ†µWatch the highlights here.â†µâ†µThe Reds bullpen gave up two in the bottom of the tenth but hung on for the win. Let’s be honest, if the Reds are going to stay in the NL Central race and make a serious run to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995, it’s going to come by the stick, not the arm or glove.â†µ

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â†µIf you haven't noticed, this team can mash. Even with the slump heading into Monday night's game, scoring just 13 runs in the last seven games – including seven in one game – the Reds still lead the National League in nearly every offensive category. â†µ

â†µâ†µCincinnati leads the NL in batting average (.274), eight points ahead of the next best team. The Reds also lead the league in OPS (.786) 20 points clear of the field. They’re second in the league in runs (377) in an albeit skewed stat as they’ve plated double-digit runs seven times this season, balancing out the seven shutouts, lead the NL in RBI (333) and are tied for the league lead in home runs (86). The Reds also lead the NL in total bases (1080).â†µ

â†µâ†µâ‡¥“We lead the league in all of those offensive categories for a reason,” [Jay] Bruce said. ” We know we can hit. We’ve had some bad luck and bad draws with the opposing pitching. But we have to beat good pitchers to be the team we want to be. We hit a lull the last couple of days, but we’re fine.”â†µâ†µNow, if only they can figure out how to pitch, they should cruise into the playoffs.â†µ

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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