Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer 12 hrs ago
Reds starter Vladimir Gutierrez had one of the best starts of his career. He executed his goal to locate his fastballs lower in the strike zone, and he carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Gutierrez allowed just one run in seven innings, and he pitched at least six innings for the seventh time in his 12 MLB starts.
"We know we still have to keep going and we can’t stop doing what we’re doing," Gutierrez said via interpreter Jorge Merlos. "Especially us starters ... We have to be ready for anything."
The Reds had the best record in the National League in July at 16-10, and they had two of the best hitters in baseball. Votto had the most home runs in the NL in July with 11, and shortstop Kyle Farmer led the league with a .395 batting average.
In July, the Reds had their best batting average and their best OPS of any month this season. This week, the Reds have won three consecutive series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Cubs and the Mets.
In the first game of August, that momentum carried over. While Votto got an off day on Sunday, Farmer hit an RBI triple. Max Schrock, Votto’s replacement in the lineup for the game, gave the Reds an early lead with a line drive home run to right field.
Schrock had a career-high five hits, including four singles. Over his last five starts, Schrock has a .579 batting average.
"It was a really good last couple series," Schrock said. "It’s always good to get series wins, and that’s what we need to keep doing."