Cincinnati Reds Inside Pitch 2009-04-24

The stated mission before the season by manager Dusty Baker was for his team to make huge strides toward improving two factors from last season: the road record and the record within the NL Central. A year ago, the Reds were 31-50 on the road and 31-47 against their division rivals.

So far, 15 games into the 2009 season, the Reds have made a major step forward. With a victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field, the Reds finished their first trip with a 7-3 record, winning two of three in Milwaukee, three of four in Houston and two of three in Chicago.

Mix in a 1-1 series against the Pirates in Cincinnati, and the Reds are 8-4 against the NL Central.

"Since we play more games against teams in our division and since you for sure lose a game or gain a game in the standings in all games against teams in your division, it is important that we do much better in those games," Baker said.

REDS 7, CUBS 1: RHP Aaron Harang leveled his record at 2-2 by throwing seven strong innings. The only run he allowed was unearned. 1B Joey Votto drove in two runs with four hits, including two doubles and a homer, as the Reds took two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Author: Fox Sports

Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com

Added: April 24, 2009