Todd Frazier after his RBI triple last night. This guy can hit.

Homer Bailey allowed a home run in the first, two singles and a walk in the second and things looked glum. It was only 2-0 but two runs in the first two innings can often spell more later. Homer persevered. He made good pitches, avoided trouble and shut the Dodgers down. In the sixth, Phillips doubled and Bruce and Frazier singled. The Reds scored a run but after a groundout and fielder’s choice, thing went from hopeful to potentially disappointing. Mesoraco hadn’t had a 2-out hit with RISP all season, but he came through with a 2-run double. Frazier and Mesoraco drove in two more runs in the eighth putting the Reds up 5-2. The Reds added three more in the ninth and Chapman finished the game.

After two runs in two innings, Homer shut the Dodgers down. The Reds didn’t score a run through five innings but kept with it and exploded for eight. Perseverance was the name of the game last night.

Two side notes:

1) Zack Cozart got absolutely drilled in the head with a pitch by Chad Billingsley. Here’s the video from MLB.com.

2) I love listening to Vin Scully’s broadcast.