[Nick Soulis]

Series #191



2012 Cincinnati Reds
Record: 97-65
Finish: Lost in NLDS
Manager: Dusty Baker
Ball Park: Great American Ballpark
WAR Leader: Joey Votto (5.9)
Franchise Record: 13-8
2012 Season Record: 0-3
Hall of Famers: 0
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/2012.shtml

1961 Los Angeles Angels
Record: 70-91
Finish: 8th in AL
Manager: Bill Rigney
Ball Park: Wrigley Field
WAR Leader: Ken McBride (4.2)
Franchise Record: 4-2
1961 Season Record: 0-1
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAA/1961.shtml
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Never Say Die In Cincinnati
Baker Leads Team From Brink To Game 7 Strength



Game 1
at Great American Ballpark
1961 Los Angeles Angels 0
2012 Cincinnati Reds 8
WP: J. Cueto (1-0) LP: K. McBride (0-1)
HR: B. Phillips (1), J. Bruce (1)
POG: Johnny Cueto (8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 116 P)
2012 Reds Lead Series 1-0

Under the clear autumn skies of Cincinnati, the 2012 Reds dominated Game 1 of the best-of-seven Field of Dreams series, blanking the 1961 Los Angeles Angels 8-0 behind a masterful performance from Johnny Cueto. The right-hander was untouchable, allowing just three hits over eight scoreless innings while striking out eight. The Reds' offense came alive in the third inning with back-to-back home runs from Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce, setting the tone for an offensive onslaught. Zack Cozart’s RBI triple in the fourth extended the lead, while Joey Votto’s two doubles helped keep the pressure on the Angels' pitching staff. Cincinnati capitalized on a shaky outing from Ken McBride, who surrendered five earned runs in less than four innings. The Angels, meanwhile, struggled to find any rhythm at the plate, managing only three hits and striking out nine times. With a commanding Game 1 victory in hand, the Reds look to carry their momentum into Game 2 at Great American Ball Park.

Game 2
at Great American Ballpark
1961 Los Angeles Angels 3
2012 Cincinnati Reds 0
WP: R. Kline (1-0) LP: M. Latos (0-1) S: T. Morgan (1)
HR: S. Bilko (1), a. Pearson (1)
POG: Ron Kline (8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 106 P)
Series Tied 1-1

In a masterful performance under the clear October night sky at the Field of Dreams, Ron Kline silenced the Cincinnati 2012 Reds' bats, guiding the 1961 Los Angeles Angels to a crucial 3-0 victory to even the series at one game apiece. Kline was dominant from the outset, scattering five hits over eight scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking just one. The Angels' offense came alive in the fourth inning, with Albie Pearson launching a solo homer to ignite the scoring, followed by a towering two-run shot from Steve Bilko off Reds' starter Mat Latos. That was all the support Kline needed as he navigated through Cincinnati’s lineup with pinpoint control, limiting the Reds to just three extra-base hits. Tom Morgan sealed the shutout with a clean ninth inning, securing the save. With the series now knotted at 1-1, both teams will head to Los Angeles' Wrigley Field for a pivotal Game 3, where the Angels hope to ride their momentum at home.

Game 3
At Wrigley Field
2012 Cincinnati Reds 3
1961 Los Angeles Angels 4
WP: T. Morgan (1-0) LP: . Chapman (0-1)
HR: T. Frazier (1)
POG: Ron Moeller (5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 99 P)
1961 Angels Lead Series 2-1

The 1961 Los Angeles Angels took a thrilling 2-1 series lead with a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory over the 2012 Cincinnati Reds at LA Wrigley Field. Ron Moeller delivered a strong performance, tossing 5.2 innings of three-hit ball while striking out eight, earning Player of the Game honors. The Angels broke through in the seventh inning, when Rocky Bridges’ clutch two-run double off Homer Bailey capped a three-run rally. The Reds clawed back in the eighth with a two-run homer from Todd Frazier, tying the game at three. However, in the ninth, Aroldis Chapman’s wild pitch and a sharp single by Ken Aspromonte set up the game-winning moment, as Rocky Bridges once again delivered, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. With the series momentum now on their side, the Angels look to extend their lead in Game 4 tomorrow night.

Game 4
At Wrigley Field
2012 Cincinnati Reds 0
1961 Los Angeles Angels 1
WP: E. Grba (1-0) LP: B. Arroyo (0-1) S: T. Morgan (2)
HR: None
POG: Eli Grba (8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 106 P)
1961 Angels Lead Series 3-1

In Game 4 of the Field of Dreams Series #191 at LA Wrigley Field on October 5, 2012, the 1961 Los Angeles Angels edged the 2012 Cincinnati Reds 1-0, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead behind Eli Grba’s masterful 8-inning shutout under partly cloudy 56-degree skies. Grba allowed just 3 hits—singles by Ryan Ludwick, Todd Frazier, and Zack Cozart—while striking out 6, outdueling Bronson Arroyo, who yielded only a sixth-inning run on Earl Averill’s two-out single after Albie Pearson’s triple. Tom Morgan closed it with a perfect ninth for the save. The Angels’ 5 hits topped Cincinnati’s meager 3, as Joey Votto and Jay Bruce went hitless, leaving the Reds on the brink of elimination despite Arroyo’s 6.1 solid frames in this imagined playoff nail-biter before 38,672 fans.

Game 5
At Wrigley Field
2012 Cincinnati Reds 6
1961 Los Angeles Angels 2
WP: J. Cueto (2-0) LP: K. McBride (0-2)
HR: T. Frazier (2)
POG: Johnny Cueto (5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 99 P)
1961 Angels Lead Series 3-2

Facing elimination in the Field of Dreams, the 2012 Cincinnati Reds responded with a clutch 6-2 victory over the 1961 Los Angeles Angels at LA Wrigley Field, narrowing the series deficit to 3-2. Johnny Cueto continued his postseason dominance, tossing 5.2 innings of one-run ball while striking out six. The game remained tight until the seventh, when Todd Frazier delivered the decisive blow—a towering three-run homer off Ned Garver to break the game open. Ryan Ludwick and Ryan Hanigan each chipped in RBI hits, while Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips combined for four hits to fuel the Reds’ offense. Ken Hunt was a bright spot for the Angels, setting a playoff record with three doubles, but his team struggled to generate consistent offense. With their season still hanging in the balance, the Reds now head home to Great American Ball Park, where they’ll look to force a decisive Game 7 on Monday night.

Game 6
at Great American Ballpark
1961 Los Angeles Angels 1
2012 Cincinnati Reds 2
WP: M> lAtos (1-1) LP: R. Kline (1-1) S: A. Chapman (1)
HR: B. Phillips (2)
POG: Mat Latos (7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 111 P)
Series Tied 3-3

In a tense, must-win showdown at Great American Ball Park, the 2012 Cincinnati Reds kept their championship hopes alive with a gritty 2-1 victory over the 1961 Los Angeles Angels, tying the Field of Dreams best-of-seven series at three games apiece. Right-hander Mat Latos delivered a masterful performance, tossing 7.2 shutout innings while striking out seven and scattering just three hits. Brandon Phillips set the tone early with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, and Zack Cozart provided crucial insurance with a triple in the fifth before scoring on a fielder’s choice. The Angels struggled to crack the Reds' pitching until the ninth inning, when Albie Pearson drove in a run against closer Aroldis Chapman, but the fireballer slammed the door with a strikeout to seal the win. With a crisp October chill in the air and the series now tied 3-3, both teams prepare for an epic Game 7 battle under the bright lights of the Field of Dreams.

Game 7
at Great American Ballpark
1961 Los Angeles Angels 2
2012 Cincinnati Reds 12
WP: H. Bailey (1-0) LP: R. Moeller (0-1)
HR: R. Hanigan (1), R. Ludwick (1), J. Votto (1), D. Stubbs (1), J. Bruce (1)
POG: Jay Bruce (1-3, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)

Under the bright lights of Great American Ball Park, the 2012 Cincinnati Reds put on a dominant performance in Game 7, crushing the 1961 Los Angeles Angels 12-2 to claim the Field of Dreams Series #191 title. Fueled by a second-inning power surge, the Reds blasted three home runs—solo shots from Ryan Ludwick, Ryan Hanigan, and Drew Stubbs—to ignite a five-run frame that set the tone early. Jay Bruce delivered the knockout blow in the sixth with a grand slam, capping off a series-winning performance that earned him Player of the Game honors. Homer Bailey was steady on the mound, working six innings of two-run ball before the bullpen slammed the door. The Angels, who managed just five hits, saw their hopes fade quickly as their pitching staff had no answers for Cincinnati’s relentless attack. With the win, the Reds secured their Field of Dreams advancement, celebrating in front of a roaring home crowd on a crisp October night.

2012 Cincinnati Reds Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(2-0, 0.66 ERA, 13.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 BB, 14 K, 0.73 WHIP, 9.2 K/9)