Climbing Tal's Hill » Mat Latos

Bullpen can’t hold lead for Jordan Lyles

Greg Thurston — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:37:41 +0000

Jordan Lyles outpitched Mat Latos today in Cincinnati but the Astros bullpen couldn’t hold onto a 5-3 lead. The Astros jumped on Latos early, as Jed Lowrie drove in Jose Altuve in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. Latos narrowly escaped further damage when the next two hitters, J.D. Martinez and Travis Buck, hit deep drives that were caught on the warning track. Lyles helped his cause with a successful squeeze bunt that gave Houston a 2-0 lead in the second inning.

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Jordan Lyles to start Sunday for Astros

Greg Thurston — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:43:46 +0000

Jordan Lyles has joined the Astros in Cincinnati and will start Sunday’s game against the Reds. Bud Norris will be pushed back a day in the rotation and start Monday against the Mets.

The Astros will need to make a corresponding roster move to accommodate the addition of Lyles. One can only assume that Fernando “gopher ball” Abad will be sent back to the minors or released. Abad has been terrible every time the Astros have given him an opportunity to pitch during the last two seasons.

Lyles has a 4-0 record and a 1.077 WHIP in four AAA starts for Oklahoma City this season. Mat Latos gets the start for Cincinnati. Latos was acquired from San Diego over the winter and is 1-2 with a 5.64 ERA for the Reds.

Jordan Lyles (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE)

The National League Central Farewell Tour: Cincinnati Reds Edition

Greg Thurston — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:16:01 +0000

The next stop on our tour is Cincinnati Ohio. Not only is The Queen City the home of the Reds, it’s also the birthplace of professional baseball. The Cincinnati Baseball Club was established way back in 1866. Three years later the Cincinnati Red Stockings fielded a baseball team comprised of ten salaried players, the first of its kind. The Red Stockings traveled as far as New York and California, compiling a perfect 65-0 record in 1869. The current Reds franchise began league play as the Red Stockings in 1882, finishing first in the American Association with a record of 55-25.

Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

No other city or franchise can match the tradition and history of Cincinnati and the Reds. Over the last 50 years Houston has uniquely shared in that history. Since the Houston expansion franchise began National League play in 1962 one thing has remained constant, the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds are the only team that has continuously played in the same division with Houston through multiple waves of expansion and realignment.

Recognized as baseball’s original franchise, Cincinnati was awarded the honor of hosting the first regular season game each year from 1876 until 1989. In 1990 that tradition finally came to an end when the Reds opened the season in Houston against the Astros. The Reds swept the Astros in that three game series and never looked back, going on to win the 1990 World Series.

This year’s Reds team appears to be poised to compete for another title. To get the inside scoop on the 2012 squad, we caught up with Blog Red Machine senior editor Steve Engbloom. CTH staff writers Brian and Alex came up with some interesting questions for Steve. Click below for the Q & A and my 2012 Reds preview.

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