Late Runs End Reds End Losing Skid

The suddenly cool bats started to warm up on Saturday afternoon at Crosley Field as Cincinnati downed visiting Los Angeles, 4-2. Three different Reds' hitters collected two hits apiece to pace a 10 hit attack. Angel Bravo singled in the go ahead run in the seventh inning after the Dodgers had tied the game for the second time in the top of the inning. Johnny Bench cracked a solo home run (20th) in the eighth to round out the scoring.

The hosts drew first blood in the fourth with a pair of singles and ground outs to take a 1-0 advantage. Tom Haller (4th) would tie the game with a two-out, bases empty blast into the right field sun deck in the top of the fifth. Tony Perez gave the lead right back to Cincinnati in the bottom half of the frame with a clutch double that scored Bravo from first, who had started the rally with a two-out, bases empty single.

That lead would be short-lived after starter Jim McGlothlin walked Willie Davis to start the inning and Andy Kosco smacked a double to score the speedy outfielder from first to tie the game. After an intentional walk was issued to Wes Parker, Clay Carroll came on to squelch the threat and keep the game tied.

Joe Moeller provided seven strong innings, but gave up the eventual winning run to take the loss. Carroll garnered the win in relief, and Wayne Granger recorded the final four outs to get his ninth save.