Reds Take 2-0 Playoff Lead Behind Arroyo

Dominant performance by Arroyo puts Giants in a 2-0 hole

Bronson Arroyo turned in seven shutout innings, and allowed just one hit while striking out four to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a commanding 2-0 lead in the National League division series with the San Francisco Giants with a 9-0 win Sunday night at AT&T Park . It was the worst playoff shutout in franchise history for San Francisco.

Madison Bumgarner gave up four earned runs on seven hits through 4 1/3 innings of work against the powerful and potent Reds offense. Ryan Ludwick homered to center field in the second inning to begin the scoring onslaught. The Reds would score 3 more runs in the fourth inning on base hits by Scott Rolen and Ryan Hannigan. The Reds would score 5 more runs in the eighth inning, on doubles by Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips, another base hit by Hannigan, and it Drew Stubbs triple. Joey Votto contributed three hits and two runs scored.

The Giants will try and regroup on Tuesday. Game three will  Great American Ball Park. Homer Bailey (13-10), who pitched a no-hitter Sept. 28 at Pittsburgh, takes the mound as the Reds try to close out the series against Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (14-9).

“You hate to get beat like that, especially at home,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “It happened. We know where we’re at right now. We know our backs are to the wall. … They’ve done a great job all year bouncing back.”