Reds Clinch Playoff Berth - East Idaho News
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Reds Clinch Playoff Berth

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Getty MLB Logo?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1348222554477Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images(CHICAGO) — The Cincinnati Reds became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot when it defeated the Chicago Cubs Thursday, 5-3.

With the win, the Reds clinch at least a Wild Card in the National League and reduced their magic number for winning the NL Central to two.

“We’ve played very successful baseball this year, and we’ve competed with the best teams at a very high level,” Reds first baseman Joey Votto said. “We’ve done a lot of winning this year, but I think anything but setting the World Series as our standard, I think anything less would be selling ourselves short. Whether we achieve that or not is kind of irrelevant, but that’s our goal.”

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto threw six scoreless innings, ending a personal three game losing streak in route to his 18th victory of the season.

The Reds where without skipper Dusty Baker for a second straight game. He is still in a Chicago hospital, missing his second straight game after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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