While Cleveland Indians starter Derek Lowe answers every Reds-based question with a roll of the eyes, Mat Latos, the formerly feather-haired hurler for Cincinnati, has taken last week’s drama a bit further by accusing the Indians of stealing signs.
“I was a little up in the zone,” said Latos after giving up a seven runs in four innings and seeing his ERA baloon to 5.20. “I thought I made some good pitches that they spit on with a runner on second. I suppose it was kind of ironic. We changed up the signs, for the last hitter unfortunately. The outcomes changed when we changed up the signs today.”
When asked about the path that he was taking, Latos continued.
“When you go back and look at video, a couple runners on second base, they put better swings on the ball than they did most of the time without a runner on second base.”
Two of the Indians’ three home runs off of Latos on Monday night came with a man on second base. Five of the Indians’ hits against Latos came without a runner on second base, and all of those went for extra bases.
It was Latos who was on the mound during the Indians-Reds series last week when the Reds and manager Dusty Baker were accused of head-hunting Indians starter Derek Lowe.
[Related: The Little Offense That Couldn’t and Its Struggling Pitching Staff]
(h/t WFNY reader Josh N)
