Reserves spark Reds' 13-4 blowout of Mariners
CINCINNATI -- At times this season, Reds manager Dusty Baker has lamented his club's lack of timely hitting, particularly with two outs. On Saturday afternoon, the Reds answered the call.
Jack Hannahan and Cesar Izturis came off the bench to have big games. Inserted into the starting lineup to get them some needed at-bats, they combined to go 5-for-8 with two doubles and five RBI, lifting Cincinnati to a 13-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Great American Ball Park.
Hannahan went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Izturis went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
"It's a total team game," Baker said. "When guys are called upon, you expect them to do well. They both had big days. They came through with some big hits."
Of greater significance was that eight of the Reds' runs scored after two outs, and they went 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
"It was big for us to come out and have a game like that," Izturis said. "It was one of those days when the offense was big. Getting those two-out hits and RBIs is special. It's something we've been looking for."
Reds starter Mat Latos (8-2) allowed four earned runs on six hits, including Kyle Seager's 13th home run, and struck out 11. Seager went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Mariners starter Jeremy Bonderman (1-3) allowed six earned runs on seven hits in five innings. Unlike Latos, he wasn't the benefactor of much run support as the Mariners went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
For the second straight game, the Mariners hit a home run in the first inning. Following a single by Endy Chavez, Seager launched a 3-1 pitch from Latos off the top of the right-field fence for a two-run homer, putting Seattle ahead 2-0.
Latos, who had eight strikeouts through four innings, fanned six straight batters before walking Brad Miller with one out in the third. Miller later scored on Seager's sacrifice fly to put the Mariners ahead 3-1.
But Cincinnati's bats were just starting to heat up.
After catcher Ryan Hanigan was intentionally walked, Latos laced a two-run double to right-center, tying the score 3-3.
"I gave up a double to a pitcher. For me, that's unacceptable," Bonderman said. "I feel I was throwing the ball well until I gave up that hit. Then it kind of unraveled."
Shin-Soo Choo then put the Reds ahead 4-3 with an RBI single to center.
"After giving up two runs in the first and putting us in a hole, it was aggravating," Latos said. "But (the 13 runs) was a relief. The offense picked me up."
A two-run double by Izturis with two outs in the sixth extended Cincinnati's lead to 6-3.
Jay Bruce, who snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a single in the fifth inning, had a two-run double in the sixth to put Cincinnati ahead 8-4. Bruce was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
"They were knocking the ball all over the place," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge.
Cincinnati added four runs in the eighth inning, including Hannahan's RBI single to right. It was the fourth time the Reds have scored 13 runs this season, first since May 11.
"It makes all the difference in the world," Baker said of the timely hitting. "You're going to have a lot more situations with runners on base with two outs. Guys need to come through in those situations."
NOTES: Reds 1B Joey Votto and 2B Brandon Phillips were named National League All-Star starters. It's the first time Cincinnati has had two starters since 1995. ... Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is an NL All-Star for the first time. ... Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez was named an American League All-Star for the fourth time and RHP Hisashi Iwakuma earned his first trip. ... Izturis had three RBI for the first time since May 19, 2010, while a member of the Baltimore Orioles. ... The Mariners traded INF Alex Liddi to Baltimore on Saturday along with international signing slot No. 3 in exchange for international signing slot No. 2. Liddi was designated for assignment when Miller was promoted. ... Nick Franklin, who bunted a ball off his right knee in Friday's game, was not in the starting lineup Saturday. "He's got a pretty significant limp," Wedge said. Franklin pinch-hit in the sixth inning and struck out. ... Miller was back in the leadoff spot after tripling twice in his debut in the top spot Friday. "He was pretty impressive yesterday," Wedge said. "I like what he brings to the top of the lineup."
