There are distractions, and then there are the things that must have been going through Mike Leake’s mind in his start on Thursday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cincinnati Reds' starting pitcher was arrested on Monday for shoplifting, and his return to the mound so soon was never an assured thing.
Diamondbacks Vs. Reds: Mike Leake Returns To Mound, Beats Arizona
He acquitted himself -- at least in one respect! -- well, going seven innings against the Diamondbacks and allowing three earned runs, as the Reds went on to a 7-4 victory.
While the Diamondbacks scored first on an RBI single from Stephen Drew, the Reds answered in the bottom half of the inning. After Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto singled, Arizona starting pitcher Daniel Hudson lost his release point entirely, walking three Reds and hitting one to give the Reds a 4-1 lead.
Hudson would settle down temporarily, but allowed a fifth-inning solo home run to Joey Votto, followed by an RBI double to Ramon Hernandez in the sixth. Hudson went 5-1/3 innings, allowing all seven Cincinnati runs.
The story of the day, both on and off the field, was Mike Leake, who threw a quality start, allowing only six baserunners and striking out six. In a non-save situation, Reds closer Francisco Cordero allowed a run in the ninth Stephen Drew's home run.
The Reds will travel to St. Louis tomorrow, where Edinson Volquez will get the start. The Diamondbacks will travel to Citi Field, where Joe Saunders will defeat the Mets.
For more on the Diamondbacks and Reds, please visit team blogs AZ Snakepit and Red Reporter.
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