The Reds stole the game from the Wildcats.

Mat Latos was tremendous last night, with his sixth inning escape job the gutsiest pitching we've seen from a Reds hurler this season.  Brandon Phillips and Ryan Ludwick hit absolute bombs, Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen got in on the act, and the Reds played by far their best game of the season.

And suddenly, these guys are on a little bit of a roll.

That was a fun night of baseball, at least for those of us not having to scoop up dog poo or still angry that the college basketball coach crossed the moat to invade enemy territory.

Latos was in complete command.  The Giants, who looked tired after Monday's doubleheader, looked miserable.  And the Reds looked like they were having a lot of fun.

Winning will do that.

The best part of the evening was Joey Votto flipping the ball back to Dan Otero after getting hit, a badass move from a badass baseball player. 

And even better, we had a whiny manager after the game....

The Giants’ manager was livid in the ninth inning, when Cincinnati Reds reliever Sam LeCure threw a pitch that whistled behind Posey’s knees. The pitch must have appeared intentional to plate umpire Vic Carapazza, who immediately warned both dugouts.

The Reds’ Joey Votto was struck on the right thigh in the seventh inning by a pitch from rookie Dan Otero, and looked none too happy as he picked up the ball and flipped it back to the mound.

Bochy criticized the Reds for what he perceived as an overreaction.

“The kid’s got, what, two weeks in the big leagues? Three weeks?” Bochy said of Otero. “He’s trying to survive out there. He’s not trying to hit anybody. He’s scuffling out there. I’m sure he’s a little nervous.”

“It’s how people get hurt, you know? We lost our guy for a long time last year, and here’s a ball thrown at his kneecaps.”

Shut up, Bruce.

As for the pregame ceremony, something that was discussed for three days took maybe three minutes.  Calipari and crew lined up in front of the dugout, all while players stretched played catch and while Reds staffers orchestrated the other pregame activities.  The coach was shown on the big board, the people wearing blue cheered, the others were pretty unmoved.

Then Calipari threw out the first pitch.  This was one of two ceremonial first pitches thrown out.  After all this happened, some sumo wrestlers, who I don't believe are from Ohio came out to help with the exchange of lineup cards.

Then the game started.

If you came to the game and had no idea that a college basketball coach was coming, there's a chance the whole thing escaped your notice. 

I'm glad we can move on.