Bronson Arroyo

Lanky pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who earned a World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2004, knew things would be different when he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds last year. He recalls being greeted at spring training by a single reporter as opposed to the press hordes that normally follow the Boston team. Teammate Ken Griffey Jr. sauntered by and said, "It's not like the Red Sox, huh?" Arroyo is still puzzled as to why he was traded, but he had the last laugh by leading the National League in innings pitched.

Todd Frazier hit a one-out homer in the ninth inning Wednesday night, extending the Cincinnati Reds' best surge of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The Reds won their fifth in a row, leaving them five games over .500 (24-19) for the first time this season. Frazier connected for his first game-ending homer on the second pitch from Cristhian Martinez (2-1), who came on to start the ninth. It was a fitting ending for a series that has been decided by solo homers — 11 in all during the three games.

Alfonso Soriano hit his fourth home run this spring and Paul Maholm pitched two innings in his exhibition debut Monday as the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-6. Maholm missed a handful of days early in spring because of the flu. He allowed two hits, including a solo homer by Todd Frazier. Red starter Bronson Arroyo gave up hits to the first five Cubs batters, with Soriano's shot nearly clearing the scoreboard in left-center field. Chicago reliever Carlos Marmol allowed three earned runs in his one inning.

Andy Pettitte gave the New York Yankees a Turn Back the Clock night. Provided a one-run lead for much of the night, the 39-year-old left-hander put together a vintage performance in his second start following a one-year layoff. Pettitte pitched four-hit ball over eight innings Friday for his first regular-season win since July 2010, leading the New York Yankees over the Cincinnati Reds 4-0. "I felt like I could do this, and now it's just like I feel like the mind's getting back there," a beaming Pettitte said after his 241st win. "I'm just hoping and praying the body holds up. " Making...

Zack Cozart reached on a strikeout leading off the game and wound up on second base because of a passed ball and a throwing error. After that, Andy Pettitte sliced through the Cincinnati Reds' batting order for the rest of the night. "What was Andy Pettitte doing right? Everything!" Jay Bruce said after Pettitte led the Yankees to a 4-0 victory Friday for his first regular-season win since July 2010. "You can't say enough about Andy and what he's done in the game," Bruce said.

WASHINGTON -- Everything, it seems, is going right for Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds these days. And all is amiss for the Washington Nationals. Arroyo threw eight innings of one-hit ball, and Cincinnati jumped out to an early lead just as they did all series in a 5-0 victory over Washington yesterday that completed a three-game sweep. Arroyo improved to 4-0 with a 2.34 ERA in five starts, allowing only Ryan Zimmerman's single with two outs in the fourth. The righthander left after 119 pitches -- "I was running out of juice," he said -- and Kent Mercker...

Ken Griffey Jr. tied Mike Schmidt on the career home run chart and Bronson Arroyo pitched a complete game to lead the Cincinnati Reds past the New York Mets, 4-2, last night for their eighth straight victory on the road. Griffey's 548th homer put him in 11th place along with the Hall of Fame third baseman and ruined a strong start by New York's Orlando Hernandez. Brandon Phillips added a two-run double and Arroyo threw a seven-hitter for the Reds, thrilled to be on the road again.

CINCINNATI - In what's becoming an annual occurrence, the Milwaukee Brewers are losing games - and their composure - in early August. Bronson Arroyo lasted six innings on a muggy evening and hit a bases-loaded double last night, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-3 victory that left the Brewers with a next-to-nothing lead in the NL wild-card race. Their patience is running out, too. After Manny Parra (9-5) left for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, first baseman Prince Fielder went up to him in the dugout and exchanged words.

Jonny Gomes had a two-run single, Jesus Flores hit his first home run in more than two years and Jordan Zimmermann pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning as the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 on Thursday night. Zimmermann and four relievers combined to limit the Reds to an unearned run. Zimmermann (8-10) allowed six hits, walking one and striking out two. He left with runners on first and second and two outs in the sixth. Ryan Mattheus came on to strike out Paul Janish to end the inning.

CINCINNATI -- Ken Griffey Jr.'s 537th career homer got upstaged by Bronson Arroyo's first. Arroyo got the loudest and longest ovations yesterday -- and a respectful bow from Griffey -- in a successful Cincinnati debut. He pitched into the seventh inning and hit his first career homer in his first at-bat, leading the Reds to an 8-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs. "I'll take that 50 times over," Arroyo said. His do-it-all debut overshadowed a big moment for Griffey, who moved ahead of two Yankees with his first homer of the season.

Zack Cozart reached on a strikeout leading off the game and wound up on second base because of a passed ball and a throwing error. After that, Andy Pettitte sliced through the Cincinnati Reds' batting order for the rest of the night. "What was Andy Pettitte doing right? Everything!" Jay Bruce said after Pettitte led the Yankees to a 4-0 victory Friday for his first regular-season win since July 2010. "You can't say enough about Andy and what he's done in the game," Bruce said.

Jay Bruce hit a three-run home run and Bronson Arroyo pitched solidly into the seventh inning, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night. Bruce's ninth home run capped a five-run fourth inning off Marco Estrada (0-2). It extended his hitting streak to 10 games and Bruce is batting .405 (15 for 37) with six home runs and 12 RBIs during the run. Arroyo (2-1) gave up a homer to Ryan Braun in the first — the NL MVP's ninth. The right-hander was tough the rest of the way, giving up six hits and a walk with...

Bryan LaHair and Ian Stewart hit solo homers — a major outburst for the power-challenged Chicago Cubs — and Jeff Samardzija pitched into the eighth inning on Wednesday night for a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs opened the rain-shortened series with only their third multihomer game of the season. They managed only nine home runs in April, the fewest in the majors. LaHair's shot off Bronson Arroyo (1-1) gave him six overall. Samardzija (3-1) allowed three hits in 7 2-3 innings and contained Jay Bruce, holding the NL's player of the week to a harmless double.

Not even Barry Zito pitching at his best could end the San Francisco Giants' misery in Great American Ball Park. Scott Rolen led off the seventh inning with a homer that ended Zito's shutout, and the Reds rallied for a 4-2 victory Wednesday night that left the Giants blaming themselves for the latest on a long list of losses in Cincinnati. San Francisco has dropped seven straight and 12 of 16 at the ballpark. Zito remains winless here in six starts. This one turned on a full-count pitch that Rolen hit for his first homer since July 6. "I just...

Manny Acta isn't concerned about Ubaldo Jimenez — yet. Jimenez gave up six runs in less than four innings, including a long leadoff homer by Brandon Phillips, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 9-2 Saturday. "We have the next three outings to be able to see if we get worried or what," the Indians manager said. "It is time to get it in gear. " Phillips drove the fifth pitch of the game out of the ballpark and into the Arizona desert. The shot far beyond the left field fence was tracked down by a youngster in a stretch of sand near a...

Alfonso Soriano hit his fourth home run this spring and Paul Maholm pitched two innings in his exhibition debut Monday as the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-6. Maholm missed a handful of days early in spring because of the flu. He allowed two hits, including a solo homer by Todd Frazier. Red starter Bronson Arroyo gave up hits to the first five Cubs batters, with Soriano's shot nearly clearing the scoreboard in left-center field. Chicago reliever Carlos Marmol allowed three earned runs in his one inning.

Bryan LaHair and Ian Stewart hit solo homers — a major outburst for the power-challenged Chicago Cubs — and Jeff Samardzija pitched into the eighth inning on Wednesday night for a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs opened the rain-shortened series with only their third multihomer game of the season. They managed only nine home runs in April, the fewest in the majors. LaHair's shot off Bronson Arroyo (1-1) gave him six overall. Samardzija (3-1) allowed three hits in 7 2-3 innings and contained Jay Bruce, holding the NL's player of the week to a harmless double.

Jay Bruce hit a three-run home run and Bronson Arroyo pitched solidly into the seventh inning, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night. Bruce's ninth home run capped a five-run fourth inning off Marco Estrada (0-2). It extended his hitting streak to 10 games and Bruce is batting .405 (15 for 37) with six home runs and 12 RBIs during the run. Arroyo (2-1) gave up a homer to Ryan Braun in the first — the NL MVP's ninth. The right-hander was tough the rest of the way, giving up six hits and a walk with nine...

The price tag for Mat Latos was daunting. The Reds were willing to pay it. The Reds addressed their biggest offseason need yesterday, acquiring the righthanded starter from San Diego for a package of four players that includes two top prospects. Cincinnati gave up infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal - both first-round picks - along with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez to get the 24-year-old Latos, who initially will move into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Johnny Cueto.