Game 1: Johnny Cueto and Todd Frazier Power Reds to Opening Day Victory

Wow! What a day for baseball! It's always a great day when you cap it off with a win. The Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a memorable Opening Day matchup by a score of 5-2. Here are the takeaways from yesterday's thrilling opener that saw a record regular season crowd of 43,633 in attendance. 

1.) Johnny Cueto had a superb outing that shows Reds' fans what to expect in the coming year. Final line was 7 scoreless innings, 4 hits, a walk, and 10 strikeouts. However, Cueto didn't factor in the decision on account of a blown save on behalf of Kevin Gregg. When Cueto left the game, his team was ahead thanks to a balk that scored Billy Hamilton in the 3rd, and a solo home run from Jay Bruce in the 4th. If this outing is a sign of things to come, Cueto should have another stellar year in which he will be a front runner for the Cy Young award. 

2.) Todd Frazier came up with a game changer when the Reds needed one. With Hamilton on first, Joey Votto put a ball in opposite field to have two on and one out when Frazier strolled up to the plate. Hamilton would eventually take third because, well, he's Billy Hamilton. With runners on the corners and one out, all Frazier needed to do was to get one out of the infield and that would be enough for Hamilton to break the 2-2 tie. While trying for a sac fly, Frazier sends a no-doubter into the upper deck in left field. The home run was Frazier's only hit of the day, but it was all that was needed. 

3.) The bullpen and other position players need a little work. This will be the only topic where you will hear negativity about yesterday's game. Kevin Gregg gave up a two-run homer to Andrew McCutchen in the 8th inning after already having two outs. This was the one black eye from the pitching staff yesterday. Hitting wise, Devin Mesoraco, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Phillips combined to go 0-for-10, with a walk, and four strikeouts. Phillips, who is normally fixed in the lead off to clean up spots, batted 87th in the order. The recent demotion should be a wake up call, but he was hitless in three attempts. We will write these issues off as rust for some players and possibly nerves for others. 

Jumbo Diaz nailed down the win for the Reds while Tony Watson took the loss for the Pirates. Aroldis Chapman only needed nine pitches to secure the save. Chapman's control was phenomenal. Eight of his nine throws were strikes, and he struck out the first two batters he faced. 

Next up: Gerrit Cole is matched up against Mike Leake in the second of three games on Thursday. 

Dug

@chansm1th