NEWS » conquering All Blacks final Rugby Championship win over

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- At the end of a very long day, the Cincinnati Reds were fretting on their bench. How would starter Mat Latos describe the mood? "Anxiety," he said. And, with a few 100-mph fastballs, Aroldis Chapman turned the anxiety into instantaneous joy. Chapman escaped a two-on, none-out threat on Saturday, preserving a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that began with a long rain delay and ended with some overpowering pitching by the Reds All-Star closer. "He has the kind of electric fastball where he can strike himself out of trouble," manager Dusty Baker said. "Thats not the first time hes been in trouble. Theres been times hes walked himself into trouble, but he can strike himself out of trouble. "Theres not a lot of guys who can do that." Joey Votto drove in a pair of runs, and Shin-Soo Choo extended his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games, helping the Reds score just enough. The third-place Reds have won the first two games in the NL Central series, closing their gap with second-place Pittsburgh to two games. The Ohio River rivals have split their 12 games this season. Latos (9-3) and Pittsburghs A.J. Burnett (4-7) had a tough time finding their control after a 1-hour, 17-minute delay in the middle of the first inning. "It was a challenge," Latos said. "Thats something Ive never experienced before, and I dont want to do it again." Latos gave up three runs in only five innings. Travis Sniders pinch-hit RBI double cut it to 5-4 in the eighth, but Logan Ondrusek got Jose Tabata to ground out with the bases loaded, ending the rally. Chapman gave up an infield single by Andrew McCutchen to open the ninth and made a wild pickoff throw. Shortstop Zack Cozart misplayed Pedro Alvarezs grounder for Cincinnatis third error, leaving runners on first and third. The All-Star closer got a pop-up, then fanned Michael McKenry and Jordy Mercer to end it, earning his 23rd save in 26 chances. "He was able to minimize the damage," catcher Devin Mesoraco said. "It was cool to see him go out and keep his cool and go after guys. It was definitely a fun thing to see." Choo had a double and a single, extending the longest streak by a Reds player this season. Thirteen minutes after the first pitch, the umpires called for the tarp when a gust of wind blew through Great American Ball Park with Burnett warming up. Several members of the grounds crew were blown off their feet while wrestling the tarp into place. Burnett had a rough time getting re-started, allowing four runs right away. "We all have our routines," Burnett said. "That was nowhere close to my routine." Three of the runs were set up by Mercers fielding error at second base. Votto got his 500th career RBI on the error, Brandon Phillips singled home a run, Cozart hit a sacrifice fly and Mesoraco doubled for a 4-0 lead. "You dont know what the layoff did to his routine," Mesoraco said. "Im not saying it was all luck, but a couple of hits fell in, too." Latos struck out to end the nine-batter inning -- an hour and a half after hed thrown his last pitch. Then, just like Burnett, Latos struggled to find his touch. Garrett Jones homered and Cozarts errant throw at shortstop let in a run in the second. McCutchen hit a solo homer in the fourth, his third homer in his last four games. Eleven of his 12 homers have been solos. The Pirates have five homers in the first two games of the series, all solo shots. Burnett didnt allow another run until the sixth, when he walked Votto with the bases loaded on his 109th and final pitch. Cincinnatis Jack Hannahan and Pittsburghs Starling Marte were hit by pitches, making it 21 batters plunked during the teams season series. Its the most for any season series in the majors. NOTES: LH Jeff Locke will start the final game of the series on Sunday. Locke had to miss his last scheduled start because of a sore back. Manager Clint Hurdle said Locke had no problems after throwing on Friday. ... McCutchen was on his way to a triple with one out in the seventh when he lost his footing and fell halfway between second and third, getting tagged out when he got up. ... An NFL Films crew followed Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins around the field for his ceremonial pitch to Reds third baseman Todd Frazier. The Bengals will be featured on HBOs "Hard Knocks" next month. Discount Air Jordan 11 Sale . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Cheap Air Jordan 11 From China . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. http://www.discountairjordan11.com/ . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Air Jordan 11 Cheap Online . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Jordan 11 For Sale Cheap . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Superstar All Blacks half-back Aaron Smith has been ruled out of Saturdays Test against the Wallabies after being found guilty of serious misconduct.A New Zealand Rugby disciplinary hearing issued Smith with a formal warning and said he would voluntarily stand down from the third Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park following his involvement in an incident with a woman in a Christchurch airport toilet.Smith had already missed the all-conquering All Blacks final Rugby Championship win over South Africa in Durban when he returned home after the incident was made public and became a national scandal.It means TJ Perenara is set to retain the starting half-back role against the Wallabies, who will also be without their leading half-back after Will Genia returned to his French club this week leaving the role to Nick Phipps.Smiths case was heaard over two hours.dddddddddddd.A NZR statement said it was found that in light of the impact on the reputation of All Blacks jersey and commercial partners, Smiths actions amounted to serious misconduct.Its important to note that as an employment matter, it is not usual to comment publicly on proceedings, said disciplinary panel chairman Neil Sorensen.However, both Aaron and his legal representative, and New Zealand Rugby acknowledge that in the circumstances, there is a need to make some public comment.Aaron presented himself as genuine, honest and incredibly remorseful.We have also taken into account the fact that the very public nature of this incident, has had a significant impact on him personally. 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