TODAY’S GAME
Athletics at Reds, MLB Network, 700, 1410
The Teddy Kremer magic works. The Reds needed a lift at one of their lowest moments, two days after a spirit-sapping 15-2 loss to the Cardinals. They brought in just the guy — a bat boy, or bat man, if you will — to provide it.
Kremer, an adult with down syndrome, made national news in his first two appearances in the Reds dugout. It wasn’t just that the Reds won both games. His joyful spirit seemed to infect the whole team. It was no different Tuesday.
Standing on the dugout steps, Kremer was asked during the game if he was having fun.
“I’m having a blast!” he said.
Kremer did his job with the bats and balls. The Reds did their part as well, beating the Athletics 3-1 in the opener of a two-game series at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati (62-51) remains 6½ games behind the Pirates (68-44), who beat the Marlins 4-3.
It was Oakland’s first loss in Cincinnati since Game 2 of the 1990 World Series. The A’s (64-48) won three games in 2002 at Cinergy Field.
Mat Latos starred on the mound, giving up no runs and four hits in 7 1/3 innings. He improved to a team-best 11-3. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 17 of his 23 starts.
Latos made sure Kremer got his due after the game.
“We might as well just fire Luke (Stowe), our bat boy, and hire Teddy,” Latos said.
Latos escaped a jam in the fifth. An error by Brandon Phillips on a possible double-play ball and then a two-out walk loaded the bases. In the dugout, coach Chris Speier, standing next to Kremer, predicted a groundout to third.
“Hit the ball to Jack,” he said.
Kremer, chatting throughout the inning, said, “That’s it. C’mon, Mat. Smoke it.”
Oakland’s cleanup hitter, Yoenis Cespedes, then grounded to Jack Hannahan, who stepped on third to end the threat.
“Latos was in and out of trouble, making pitches when he had to,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We made the defensive played when we had to.”
Latos left the game after giving up a one-out double in the eighth. J.J. Hoover got the last two outs for his 18th straight scoreless appearance.
Aroldis Chapman earned his 26th save in the ninth despite giving up a home run to Derek Norris.
At the plate, Jay Bruce was the early hero. His team-best 23rd home run gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the second against A’s starter Dan Straily, who was making his 18th start of the season and fourth since being recalled from Triple-A.
“It was a fastball over the plate and away,” Bruce said. “You try not to think about the actual pitcher out there, rather than the pitches they’re throwing.”
An RBI single by Phillips scored the Reds’ second run in the third, and they padded their lead in the fifth when Shin-Soo Choo scored from second on an error.
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