SAN FRANCISCO — Bronson Arroyo pitched the Reds back to Ohio on quite a playoff roll.
Arroyo, had never gone six innings in the postseason before Sunday, retired his first 14 batters and delivered a gem a day after 19-game winner Johnny Cueto went down with a back injury, and Cincinnati beat the San Francisco Giants, 9-0, on Sunday night to head home with a 2-0 NL Division Series lead.
A pair of Ryans provided the big hits. Ryan Ludwick homered leading off the second inning for his first career playoff clout and Ryan Hanigan hit a two-run single in the fourth and a later RBI single. Jay Bruce added a two-run double and Joey Votto had three hits.
Former San Francisco skipper Dusty Baker came into his old stomping grounds by the bay and left with two commanding victories 10 years after managing the Giants within six outs of a World Series title before falling short.
The Giants were handed their handed their worst playoff shutout in franchise history.
Game 3 in the best-of-five series is Tuesday at 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).
The Reds won their first playoff game in 17 years by taking Game 1 without their ace Saturday night, and now they’re going back home looking for their own sweep after the Phillies eliminated them in a frustrating three-game first round two years ago.
The Reds will try for their first postseason sweep since beating the Dodgers in the first round in 1995.
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