The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star(s) of the Game

We normally don't compromise here at the RR Recap desk, but tonight's going to be a bit different. When two of our boys have nights like Homer and Jay did, we make exceptions.

Homer tossed a complete game 4 hitter, yielding just a single run and walk while striking out 5, and for good measure, he went 2 for 3 with a 2 out RBI at the plate. That's awesome.

Jah Brule seems to be cracking the shell that has encased his weeks long slump, and tonight went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs. That, too, is awesome.

Honorable mentions are due to both Todd Frazier and Brandon Phillips. The two infielders combined to give some much needed RH production to the middle of the lineup, with Frazier going 2 for 3 with a double, triple, and HBP, and BP going 2 for 4. That's awesome!

Key Plays

• It's so much easier to recap when the Reds just honk a bunch of solo wangers. What's that? They hit 8 of them? That's awesome, too! Reds win, 8-1!

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

A day after the most homeriffic day in GABP history, the Reds looked mostly futile against the Pirates' pitchers today. Though he only got three ABs (because he was batting 8th...again), Ryan Hanigan went 2 for 3 with a double, raising his season line to .320/.383/.402 and picking up the JNMHSotG. Meanwhile, Drew Stubbs and Wilson Valdez (and their respective season OBPs of .293 and .174) hit leadoff and second, and managed a collective 0 for 8 with 4 K's in front of Joey Votto. Pre-game, I believe I set the over/under on number of runners on base for Votto today at 1, and said it would likely be Arroyo...dang.

Honorable mention to Chris Heisey, whose 9th inning single plated Votto for the only run of the game; Alfredo Simon, whose 3 IP as the little used long-man from the bullpen kept the Reds within striking distance; Joey Votto, for being awesome; and J.J. Hoover, for putting up yet another scoreless inning.

Key Plays

• Badroyo wasted little time in making his presence felt. The Pirates got rolling in the bottom of the 1st, as Neil Walker singled, moved up on a wild pitch, and scored when Pedro Alvarez hit an opposite field double off the Left field wall; Garret Jones then singled to score Alvarez. Pirates lead, 2-0.
• The Bucs kept the wheels rolling in the following frame. Rod Barajas singled, but was thrown out at second on a bunt by McDonald. Arroyo then walked Jose Tabata, and allowed a Walker double that scored McDonald. Pirates lead, 3-0.
• The Pirates scored in the 3rd, too, as Pedro Alvarez doubled and later scored on another single by Barajas, giving the Bucs a 4-0 lead. The Reds failed on two separate occasions to score with runners on first and second with no outs, and it wasn't until the 9th when they scraped across a run, when Votto walked, took second, and scored on Heisey's single. Miguel Cairo lined out to Andrew McCutchen, and that was that. Reds lose, 4-1.

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

I'll guarantee you that if you look really hard, you'll find a very happy (albeit very sunburned) jch24, -ManBearPig, Gramophone, and Rorschach with smiles on their faces. This is the kind of game you hope to see when you're heading to the game on a holiday weekend with frosty beers in mind.

Lots of guys went off today, but Brandon Phillips gets the nod thanks to his 3 run blast. Phillips was 2 for 4, as was Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier both pitched in with solo twice-baked potatoes.

Key Plays

• Honked wanger!
• Wanked honker!
• A donk!
• A hit by pitch, a single, and cheesecake!
• A pop, a fizz, a whackety whizz...chiddy chiddy bang wang lang!
• Reds win, 7-5!

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

You win the game on a walkoff, you win the JNMHSotG. Todd Frazier hit an opposite field solo homer Christhian Martinez in the bottom of the 9th, giving the Reds a win in a solid pitcher's duel. When pundits speak of how the Toddfather must step up in the absence of Scott Rolen or the Reds will be "forced" to make a move, this is the kind of play they look for. Though he's struggled lately, this makes up for a lot, and ensures the Reds will win the 4 game series.

Honorable mention is due, big time, to Bronson Arroyo, who continues to turn the clock back past the days when he was a mediocre pitcher with mediocre stuff to the days when he was a mediocre pitcher with mediocre stuff who got the job done; BroYo went 6.2 innings, striking out 7 Braves while walking only 2. He allowed just 4 hits and a single ER, and did a solid job of shutting down one of the best offenses in the NL. Goodroyo, indeed.

Key Plays

• The game got off to a predictably slow start, as Arroyo pitched like he as all season and Tommy Hanson pitched like he has, when healthy, his entire career. The Braves struck first, however, as Dan Uggla slugged a solo porpoise off of Bronson in the top of the 4th. Braves lead, 1-0.
  
• Contrary to the prevailing theme of the series, the Reds small-balled their way to a run in the bottom of the 6th. After a Zack Cozart single, Chris Heisey singled and Brandon Phillips walked. Jay Bruce followed, and was damn thankful he'd lost those 18 lbs from last season, as he legged out what would have been an inning ending double play to plate Cozart via fielder's choice. Game tied, 1-1.
  
• The teams alternated scoreless frames until the Reds came to bat in the bottom of the 9th. After Mike Costanzo struck out, Todd Frazier stepped to bat, and promptly took the first pitch for a strike. Mildly impressed, mildly amused, he stepped out of the box, cocked his head, and thought back to the pregame conversation he'd had with several famed baseball analysts...

via i1230.photobucket.com

• Frazier then remembered the mantra espoused by the renowned jch24, -ManBearPig, FordhamRam, and BK... "Dude, just honk a wanger." Frazier obliged, and Reds nation rejoiced. Praise be to Toddfather, indeed. Reds win, 2-1.
  

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Tonight, Mike Leake pitched like he'd grown up wanting to be a Braves fan and was thoroughly miffed that Mike Minor was taken 8th overall in 2009 instead. Leake, who has obviously struggled this season, was fantastic tonight, going 8 innings and allowing just 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 6. Leake walked only one batter, and did it all on just 98 pitches, and he honked is first career wanger. Commence Greg Maddux comparisons...and commence the damnation of those Greg Maddux comparisons.

Honorable mentions to Drew Stubbs, whose Light Tower Power had 2 HRs and a BB, Zack "MVP/GG" Cozart (2 for 4, HR), Joey Votto (1 for 2, 2 BB, ho-hum), and Sean Marshall, who came in to put out a fire in the 9th to pick up his 8th save of the season...a day after losing the closer's job.

Key Plays

• The Reds got freaky deaky in the first, and never really looked back. Drew Stubbs waited just enough on an off-speed pitch, and lifted a solo shot to the LF seats. Reds lead, 1-0.
  
• Some dude who nobody really misses hit a HR for the Braves in the 2nd. Game tied, 1-1.
• The Reds needed a spark to get going, and Mike Leake (Mike Leake!) was just the spark for the job. Leake homered in the 4th, and the homer-gates were broken. Cozart and Stubbs followed with solo shots, too, and the Reds had busted up the Braves' young pitcher. Reds lead, 4-1.
• Leake continued to cruise, the Reds went on cruise control, and Jose Arredondo and Marshall combined to put the game away in the 9th. Reds win!

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

My favorite whipping boy, Ryan Ludwick, was the difference maker today. Ludwick went 3 for 5 with a honked wanger and a key 2-out, 2 run double in the top of the 9th to put the game out of reach. The guy has struggled mightily since he first donned a Reds cap, and had been held out of the last few games due to a swollen elbow caused by an R.A. Dickey "quick" ball, but today he kicked serious tail. Good on ya, Ludwi C.K. Keep this up and I'll gladly eat crow the rest of the year.

Very honorable mention goes to Johnny Cueto, who went toe to toe with a legitimate ace in C.C. Sabathia...and came out on top. Already the owner of the best ERA in the majors over the last season and a half, Cueto further cemented his status as an elite pitcher by putting in 7+ innings of 2 run ball on the biggest stage in the game. Fans in the stands were actually smiling by the 7th inning, as they'd finally realized their front office was going to offer the kid a $400 million contract when his current one is over. Hat tips, too, are deserved for both Sean Marshall and Aroldis Chapman, both of whom were effective in their new (swapped) roles.

I hope this doesn't get overlooked, because it's high time he himself stops getting overlooked...but Ryan Hanigan is a fantastic catcher, and the Reds are damn lucky to have him. Get off your butts, go to mlb.com, and vote for the guy to start the All-Star game. He won't win, and odds are the jerk in charge of the NL team will overlook him, but I dare you to find a more underappreciated, underpaid, unassuming player in all of baseball. I criticize Dusty Baker for a lot of things, but one thing he deserves high praise for is letting Hanigan become what he's become while Devin Mesoraco sits more than the Keith Law's of the world would like. Big props, guys. Big, big props.

Key Plays

• The pitcher's duel that was called for on paper materialized exactly how we expected. Both Cueto and Sabathia were pounding the strike zone, and when their pitches were hit, few, if any, were hit hard through the first half of the game. It wasn't until the 6th inning when the Yankees squared up on Cueto, as Robinson Cano smoked a double to center before scoring on Raul Ibanez's home run. Yankees lead, 2-0.
• The Reds (as they have made a habit of doing, which is awesomecoachingmaterial) wasted no time in getting back in the game, however, as Ryan Ludwick led off the top of the 7th with a wanked donker. After Todd Frazier flied out, Ryan Hanigan crushed one out to left as well. The Reds were out to disprove the myth that solo HRs are rally killers, and went small ball to wrap up the inning. Zack Cozart reached on an infield single, and Drew Stubbs, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips walked behind him to score again. Reds lead, 3-2.
• For good measure, Ludwick struck again in the 9th. Phillips and Bruce singled, and Ludwick scored them both on a double to left off of former stud reliever Rafael Soriano. Aroldis Chapman was called upon for the first save opportunity of this season, and promptly mowed down the remaining Yankees. Reds win, 5-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Today's victory was a well-rounded team effort, but our resident Canuck Wanger-Honker gets the nod for the JNMHSotG. Votto had the big knock of the day, a 3-run HR off Ivan Nova in the 5th to break open (at that point) the game. I'm not sure it wouldn't have been an inside-the-parker had it not just barely cleared the wall, since I doubt the Yankees outfielders would have known what to do with a Reds At-Bat that didn't end in strikeout.

Honorable mentions are due to Homer Bailey (quality start, keeping LH's Cano and Granderson at bay), Chris Heisey (2 for 5, RBI double, great catch in LF), and Devin Mesoraco (1 for 3, 2B, R, HBP, only Red to not K). Very extra-special Honorable mention to Mike Costanzo, who picked up his first major league hit (and his second RBI). Congrats, Mr. Sideburns.

Key Plays

• The Reds got havocky early today. In the first, Drew Stubbs walked and stole second, and after Joey Votto walked, Brandon Phillips singled to score Stubbs. That's so, so cleanuppy. The Reds struck again in the second when Devin Mesoraco hit a ground-rule double and later scored on a Chris Heisey double. Reds lead, 2-0.
• Before Jeff Brantley could fully jinx Homer Bailey by telling the radio audience how well he'd looked in retiring the first 6 Yankees in order, Russell Martin smoked a donker on the first pitch of the 3rd inning. In the 4th, Curtis Granderson walked and was out at second on a fielder's choice hit by Robinson Cano, and Cano then scored on a double by the skeleton formerly known as Raul Ibanez. Game tied, 2-2.
• Why anyone ever gives Joey Votto a pitch to hit in a low-leverage situation is beyond me, so the fact that he was given a grooved strike to hit in a high-leverage situation blew me away. Maybe the only TV station Joe Girardi gets is ESPN, in which case he would have never seen the Reds play. That would explain why he let Ivan Nova pitch to our Canuckian boom-crusher with two men on. Votto hit a laser into the right-center bleachers, scoring Wee Willie Valdez and Drew Stubbs. Reds lead, 5-2.
• Jayson Niyx hoynked a soylo waynger in the 5th to make it a 5-3 game, but thankfully, the Reds secret weapon provided them with a 6th run in the 8th inning that would prove to be the difference. Following a Phillips single, Bruce walk, and Frazier reaching on a fielder's choice, Mike Costanzo stung one deep enough to CF to plate Phillips from 3rd base on a sac fly. That would matter because Sean Marshall pitched like he still had that Cub smell on him in the 9th. Marshall gave up hits to the first 2 batters in the 9th and 4 of the 5 batters he faced, allowing two runs before being pulled in favor of Jose Arredondo. Thankfully, Arredondid retire Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson to end the rally. Reds win, 6-5!

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

In a nutshell, tonight's start by Bronson Arroyo was a microcosm of his career as a Red. The bullpen had been taxed by a lack of deep starts by the other starting pitchers, his opponent on the mound was a former ace/future Hall of Famer, he was due to pitch in a park that promotes wangers...versus a lineup prone to honking wangers, and he gave the Reds a solid yet unspectacular effort. Arroyo made it through the first 7 innings having allowed only 1 run, and under normal bullpen circumstances he likely would have been lifted; however, he stuck around and got beat up a bit while saving the arms in the 'pen a bit. His final line: 7.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 K, 102 pitches.

Honorable mention goes to Chris Heisey, who went 1 for 3 with a walk, and to Zack Cozart, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce, whose 8 combined strikeouts gave the fans a nice breeze on a muggy May evening in NYC.

Key Plays

• The closest the Reds came to threatening to threaten was in the first. Zack Cozart struck out, but reached on an error by catcher Chris Stewart. Cozart took 2nd on a passed ball by Stewart, and moved to third on a bunt by Drew Stubbs (!). The Reds then got a few multimillion dollar strikeouts from Votto and Phillips, and the rally was thwarted.
• The Yankees smawl bawled their way to the first run of the game in the 4th. Curtis Granderson led off with a single, and moved to third on a single by Robinson Cano. A-Roid* then hit a jammed grounder to Cozart, scoring Granderson.
  
• In the 8th, Bronson retired the first two batters before yielding a quacker to Cano. A-Roid* followed with a single, and Raul Ibanez farked a looger, scoring both. The Reds rally consisted of consistent out-making. Yankees win, 4-0.

via www.fangraphs.com

*FanGraphs had this listed as an "American League" game. I resent that.

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Coming into the game tonight, the Braves had sported the 2nd best offense in the league, were 7-2 in their last 9 games, and were fresh off a series sweep of the Cardinals in which they'd put up 23 runs in 3 games at Busch. Homey Badger didn't give a Heeringa, however, and held them in check for 6.2 IP. Bailey allowed 6 hits and 2 walks during his 114 pitch evening while striking out 3 and allowing just 1 ER. Hopefully, two things will happen: first, that Homer supporters can begin to cite more games like this for him being a legit starter (and less games against the Pirates, Astros, etc.), and second, that we we all become much larger Homer supporters. Somewhere, Newd Guy stands and applauds.

Honorable mention is due to Chris Heisey, who busted out of his season long slump with a 3 for 3 night that included a well-executed (if ill-advised) sacrifice bunt and 2 doubles, one of which drove in the 3rd run of the game in the 8th. Mercifully, Dusty is giving more time to Heisey, and I hope the guy will continue to seize the carp.

Key Plays

• Neither team burst down the doors to start the game, and both Homer and Randall Delgado looked pretty comfortable early. It took until the 4th inning before either team put a run on the board, and it was the Reds who struck first. Following consecutive singles by Jay Bruce and Chris Heisey, Todd Frazier hit a sharp grounder to Braves rookie SS Tyler Pastornicky, who proceeded to throw to second for the third out of the inning...fortunately for the Reds, 2B Dan Uggla didn't get the memo, and was therefore not there to make the catch. Bruce, running hard, scored on the play, and the Reds took the lead, 1-0.
• Michael Bourn's identity is his speed, and he showed his supremacy in that trait by tripling off of Bailey in the bottom of the 5th. Ultimatumly, he scored on a sac-fly by Martin Prado, tying the game at 1-1.
• Jonny Venters toed the mound for the Braves in the top of the 8th, and the Reds couldn't have given less of a damn. Drew Stubbs reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a Venters' wild pitch. Joey Votto mortally flied out, but Brandon Phillips was there to pick him up, doubling to score Stubbs. Heisey followed with another double, scoring Phillips and setting the final margin. Lurch, Chappy, and Marshall combined to close out the last 2.1 IP. Reds win, 3-1!

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

It's days like today that will make Joey Votto worth $25 million a year when he's 40 years old. He won't be OPSing 1.000 by then, but I will sure as hell be playing replays of his walk-off grand slams, his 3 HR games, games he single-handedly carried us to victory, and, most especially, games where he does all of the above. Josh Hamilton is on a phenomenal hot streak, and Matt Kemp got off to a ridiculous start to the season; Carlos Beltran has been on a tear since signing as a Free Agent, and Jay Bruce has been fantastic; David Ortiz and David Wright have kept East Coast writers busy, but there is not a better offensive player in baseball right now than Joey Votto. He's a Red for life, folks, and we're damn lucky to have him.

A day after Ray Knight claimed that Adam LaRoche should be the NL starter in the All-Star game "if you look at the numbers," Votto went 4 for 5 with 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 2B, and a warning track shot. That's 15 total bases, but don't expect to hear much about it on ESPN. Jay Bruce (as he is wont) pitched in big time, too, going 1 for 3 with a 2 RBI 2B and a BB, while Ryan Hanigan went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Also, a hat tip to Mike Costanzo for a sac-fly RBI in his first MLB PA.

Key Plays

• Joey Votto.
  

via www.fangraphs.com

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Since Joey Votto has decided that he will only drive himself in and no one else, Mike Costanzo has been forced to bring the Reds back by himself, and Mehroyo has been banged around more today than any other day since he sold the Nasty Hook. Let's see if the Reds can RALLY!

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

I will not give this to Jordan Zimmerman.

Joey Votto was 1 for 2 with 2 BB. That's about as good as it gets tonight, unfortunately.

Key Plays

• The Reds struck early, scoring the first 1st inning run off of Zimmerman all season. In fact, it was the first run he's allowed in any of the first 3 innings this season. Zack "MVP/GG" Cozart led off with a single, and ended up on 2nd after a hit and run resulted in an attempted double play that yielded no outs. Productive small-ball from Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips resulted in Cozart scoring on a groundout. Reds lead, 1-0.
  
• Mat Latos struggled to put away hitters tonight, and his pitch count mounted as a result. However, he never gave up a run to a batter he walked. Before he left with an injured knee, Wilson Ramos hit a solo homer to center field in the 5th that tied the game at 1. Latos left after 5, and Jose Arredondo proceeded to replace him with a meatball to Danny Espinosa, who homered on the first pitch he saw in the 6th. Nats win, 2-1.
  

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Jay Bruce has carried the Reds' offense for almost two full weeks now, and tonight was no different. Hard Jay extended his hit-streak to 11 games with his 6th inning 2-run HR off of Yovanni Gallardo, and he followed that up with a hard hit single to center. Bruce finished 2 for 4, and was by far the heart of the offense tonight.

Honorable mentions to Brandon Phillips (2 for 4, 2B, 2 R), Zack "MVP/GG" Cozart (2 for 5, 2B), Todd Frazier (1 for 1, PH), Miguel Cairo (0 for 1, not being Willie Harris), and Joey Votto (1 for 3, 2B, BB). Notice the lack of pitchers on this list.

Key Plays

• An hour into the game, the 1st inning was finally over. Unfortunately for the Reds, it was not due to their offense. Homer Bailey labored badly, reaching 2 strike counts to all 7 batters in the inning before yielding two singles, a walk, and a hit batter. It was Johnathan Lucroy's 2 run single that really burned, however. Reds trail, 2-0.
  
• The Reds actually lucked out a bit in the bottom of the 3rd. After a Rickie Weeks walk and a Nyjer Morgan single, * hit a double that would have scored both had it not been of the ground rule variety. Reds trail, 3-0*.
• Baily failed to get out of the 4th inning tonight, and left with the bases loaded. J.J. Hoover entered in an attempt to put out the fire, but Hoover's firehose was simply inadequate. Rawr. Aramis Ramirez cleared the bases with a triple, and the rout was on. Reds trail, 6-0.
• Jay Bruced one to deep left-center in the 6th following a Brandon Phillips double, and Scott Rolen doubled in the 8th to plate BP again, but that wasn't enough to overcome the damage done, an RBI single by the opposing pitcher, and a solo HR by an Izturis. Reds lose, 8-3.

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Greatrroyo showed up and dominated a depleted (yet still potent) Brewers offense tonight. Bronson threw 6.2 awesome innings, giving up the 1st inning homer to Ryan Braun* and nothing further. Arroyo struck out 9, walked just one, and scattered 6 hits over his 110 pitches. He also had a sacrifice, and is looking more and more like the 2010 version of himself than the 2011 version. He should write a song about that.

Honorable mentions are well deserved by Jay Bruce (1 for 4 with a 3-run homer that was absolutely destroyed), Brandon Phillips (2 for 4), Miguel Cairo (PH RBI 2B, not being Willie Harris), and Zack Cozart (HR).

Key Plays

• Ryan Braun* took Bronson deep to center field in the bottom of the 1st for a solo shot. Brewers lead, 1-0.
  
• The Reds finally pulled off the blindfold in the top of the 4th and broke the game wide open. Marco Estrada had retired the Reds lineup in order through the first 3 innings, but Zack Cozart hit a solo homer out to left-center to open the floodgates. Drew Stubbs followed with a double off the wall and scored off a Joey Votto double. BP got in on the action with a single the other way before Jay Bruce set off alarms at NORAD with a 3-run wanger to deep, deep, deep, Depp, Pradeep, DEEP right center. Reds lead, 5-1.
• Bronson cruised through the remainder of his innings, spacing out his hits, striking out key batters, and pitching out of any trouble he faced. Logan Ondrusek and Sean Marshall combined to keep the Brewers off the board for the rest of the game, and the Reds tacked on the final run in the top of the 9th thanks to a Chris Heisey single, stolen base, and run scored due to a Miguel Cairo pinch-hit ground rule double. Hail Caesar! Reds win, 6-1!
  

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

You know it's a good day for the Reds when I have to get extremely nit-picky to pick the JNMHSotG, and that's exactly what I had to do to pick Drew Stubbs over Mat Latos. While both were awesometallbaseballplayersinRedshats today, Latos did only manage to make it through 6 innings. Drew Stubbs, on the other hand, may well have had the second best game of his Reds career (aside from his 3 HR game at Wrigley in 2010). Stubby was 3 for 4 with a 2-run HR, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, BB, his fifth SB of the year, and a Brennaboner inducing zero strikeouts. That's kicking some Pirate tail.

Very honorable mention is due to Mat Latos. The big right-hander had a great day, striking out a career-high 11 batters over his 6 IP, yielding just 2 hits, 3 walks, and a HBP. Todd Frazier put another stamp on his big-league passport by homering, doubling, and making several great defensive plays at 3B, Jay Bruce extended his hit-streak to 9 games, Zack "MVP/GG" Cozart got on base in 3 of his 5 PAs, Aroldis Chapman was perfect in 1.1 IP, and Joey Votto was a ho-hum 1 for 4 with an RBI and a walk. He's so overrated.

Key Plays

• The Reds jumped all over former Tomo Ohka All-Star Charlie Morton, scoring in each of the first three innings. In the first, Drew Stubbs walked and ended up on third after an errant Charlie Morton throw, and Joey Votto plated him with a bloop single. In the second, Mad Todd Frazier-ville hit a bomb to Left Field for his first homer of the season, and in the third, Cozart walked before Stubbs homered to right-center. Reds lead, 4-0.
  
• The Reds smawl-bawled their way to another run in the Top of the fifth. Drew Stubbs led off the inning with an infield single, stole second, and advanced to third on a deep Votto flyout to center. Brandon Phillips contributed with a sac fly to center, scoring Stubbs. Reds lead, 5-0.
• Latos struggled in the first inning, hitting the first batter of the game and walking two others to load the bases. That said, the struggles were with pitch location instead of having his pitches be hit hard, and when he finally found his locations, he was dominant. After a great play by Frazier at third, Latos struck out Nate McLouth and never looked back, never again allowing a Pirate to get past second. JJ Hoover, Aroldis Chapman, and Alfredo Simon combined to pitch scoreless 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. Reds win, 5-0!

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Tonight's game saw several Reds play great games, but the best player on the field was Johnny Cueto. Mr. Quest threw a complete game, striking out 4 while not yielding a walk. He gave up 7 hits, but only 2 were for extra bases, and he truly dominated the McCutchen-less Pirates.

He's now 4-0 on the season with a 1.31 ERA.

Ace.

Very honorable mentions are due for Drew Stubbs, Zack Cozart, and Jay Bruce, each of whom had two hits and a homer. Cozart and Stubbs went back to back in the 7th inning to break the game open, and Bruce crushed his 8th of the year the following inning. Chris Heisey also chipped in with a triple, single, and RBI, while Ryan Hanigan was also 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and once again called a great game.

Key Plays

• Reds doubled...Reds tripled...Reds homered, homered, and homered.
  
• Reds win, 6-1!

via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Welp, Badroyo didn't show up tonight, and that was pretty nice. While he gave up two solo homers, he was relatively effective over 6 IP. Mediocrroyo was (by definition of being "mediocre") better than the rest of his teammates tonight, yielding only 3 ER on his 99 pitches, striking out 3 and walking just one. Another five starts like the ones he's had so far in 2012 may even have RR's seeing Pops concede that he's been decent; although, five more starts like the ones he's had so far in 2012 will likely see a frozen hell, Yossi as president, and a picture of BubbaFan on the interwebbos.

Honorable mention to Chris Heisey for seeing only 8 pitches in his 3 at-bats today. He did everything he could to get this game over as fast as possible.

Key Plays

• Bryan LaHair LaHomered off Bronson in the top of the 2nd inning. Cubs lead, 1-0.
  
• Ian Stewart hit a laser into the right field bleachers in the 4th. Cubs lead, 2-0.
• The Reds got as havocky as they could havoc in the 4th. After Drew Stubbs grounded out, Joey Votto drew a walk, and Brandon Phillips followed with a single. Votto advanced to third on the play, executing what Cowboy explained was a well-timed "run and hit," as opposed to a perfectly contrived "crab-walk and burp" or sublimely created "rub and tug." Jay Bruce grounded into a double play, but since LaHair tagged first to start it, Votto was able to score due to some crafty BeeP-ery, who managed to create a run-down to kill time. Reds score! Cubs lead, 2-1.
• The Cubs got active again in the 6th, when a washed up never-shouldda-been former ROY knocked in an over the hill hundred millionaire. LOLCUBz. Reds lose, 3-1.
• 

  via www.fangraphs.com

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Rain. Because it rained.

And Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart, Sean Marshall, Aroldis Chapman, Mat Latos, Logan Ondrusek, and Corky Miller...cuz we got 'em, and they don't.

Key Plays

• It rained. Then it rained some more.
  
• It kept raining. Rain 2, Reds 1, Cubs -358.
• 

  via blog.audioconnell.com, not www.fangraphs.com

  
  

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

The former, current, and future NL MVP carried the Reds' offense today, keying two separate comebacks against the Astros pitchers. Joey Votto went 2 for 3, including his 2nd HR of the season, a 2 out 2-run 2B, R, BB, and no K's. On a day when Latos was struggling and the Reds were at risk of dropping a home series to the worst team in baseball, Votto delivered the way $250 million players should. I can't help but wonder if the Lyles pitch under Joey's chin is going to be the play that turns the tide on Joey's early season "struggles." He certainly woke up with a bang afterwards.

Honorable mentions are due to the red-hot Jay Bruce (1 for 3, BB, RBI, R, HR in 4th straight game), Zack "MVP/GG" Cozart (2 for 4, 2 2B, RBI, R, BB), Logan Ondrusek (1 IP...0 ER through 12 IP this season), and Sean Marshall (IP, save, solid bounce-back after blowing the save on Thursday.) All around great game by the Reds today. This is the kind of game playoff-caliber teams find ways to win.

Key Plays

• BadLatos unfortunately took the mound again today, and was hit hard early and often. The damage began in the 1st, when Jose Altuve crushed a double to right field and scored one batter later on a Jed Lowrie single. Astros lead, 1-0.
  
• The Astros small-bawled their way into another run in the 2nd, as pitcher Jordan Lyles put down a pretty textbook suicide squeeze to plate Chris Johnson. Astros lead, 2-0.
• The Reds broke the seal in the bottom of the 4th. Cozart led off with a double to left, and Joey Votto crushed the first pitch he saw for a deep Home Run to right-center field. Game tied, 2-2.
• The Astros struck back the next chance they had, as Jed Lowrie homered immediately following another Jose Altuve hit. Latos had struck out the leadoff hitter, and had pitcher's counts on both following batters, but couldn't find the out pitch he needed. Astros lead, 4-2.
• The back and forth nature of the game continued in the 5th and 6th, as a Matt Downs homer pushed the Astros' lead back to 2 after a Zack Cozart RBI double had cut it to one.
  
• The Astros went to their bullpen to start the 7th inning, and that proved to be their downfall. Several long ABs and clutchy pinch hitting and running managed to collectively out-weigh the miserable decision to have Drew Stubbs bunt with no outs and runners on first and second. Sigh. Anyway, Joey Votto came to the rescue with a 2-out double down the first base line to tie the game at 5. Jay Bruce hit a solo shot to right-center in the bottom of the 8th, and that proved to be the game-winner. Reds win, 6-5!
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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Jay Bruce went 2 for 3 with a HR, 2B, R, BB and 4 RBIs. Jah Brule has really turned his game around since returning to the delicious confines of Great American Ball Park. Maybe he just needed Scott Rolen to hit behind him so he could have some lineup protection!

Sombrero-sized hat-tips to Brandon Phillips (2 for 4, 2 R, 3B, RBI) and Johnny Cueto (the usual...7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K). Ten gallon-sized hat-tips to Zack Cozart and Scott Rolen; both went 1 for 4, but were spectacular on defense in backing up Cueto. Good on ya, boys!

Key Plays

• The Reds commenced their tail whippin' in the bottom of 1st. A two-out double by Joey Votto was followed by a Brandon Phillips "triple" to center field, a Jay Bruce walk, and a Scott Rolen single. Reds lead, 2-0.
  
• The Reds got some help in the bottom of the 3rd. After Cozart singled up the middle, Votto hit what very well should have been a double play ball towards Jose Altuve of the Astros. Thankfully, they're not called the DisAstros for nothing, and the Votto reached on Altuve's error. Votto then stole second, and both he and Cozart scored on Bruce's double. Reds lead, 4-0.
• In the bottom of the 5th, Phillips singled to left, and Bruce followed with his 6th home run of the year to put the Reds up 6-0. Cueto left after 7 solid innings, and Logan Ondrusek and Aroldis Chapman came on to close it out. Reds win, 6-0!
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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Ya know how when you go to a bar, order a beer, take those first 3 or 4 sips, and realize you've suddenly placed yourself in that teetering position of getting a refill and enjoying the present or going home and hating that buzz you currently have? Well, in large part that's the lay of the land in the realm of TJNMHSotG tonight. While he wasn't exactly that first golden beer that got you your buzz, he was indubitably the 4th beer that broke the seal. Old Man River hit the 84th lazy Zito curveball thrown tonight over the left field wall, and in the process he broke up the shutout and also reminded us of 2010 glee. Rolen also ultimately ended Barry Zito's night, and the Reds subsequently beat up on the Giants bullpen to complete the comeback. Beam me up, Scotty.

Honorable mentions are due to Joey Votto (1 for 3, RBI, BB), Ryan Hanigan (2 for 3, R), and JJ Hoover (0 ER, 1IP, 0 being-END in his MLB debut).

Key Plays

• Devil Christian hit a 424 foot bomb off of our own Bronson Arroyo to open the scoring in the 3rd. Giants lead, 1-0.
  
• Smawl bawl by folks we've never heard of created another Giants run in the Top of the 4th, as Emmanuel Burris, Brandon Crawford, Hector Sanchez, and Nate Schierholz combined to plate a run. Giants lead, 2-0.
• Scott Rolen Scott Rolen'd a Zito smush ball in the bottom of the 7th, chasing Zito and halving the lead. Errbody else got in on the bidness, and after Joey Votto of Joey Votto's Reds was done, the Reds lead 4-2.
• Aroldis Aroldis'd, and Sean Marshall Marshall'd. Reds win, 4-2!
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Grant Brisbee is something of a celebrity down at the SBN offices. RRHQ is just down the hall from the McCovey Chronicles cubicles, so we run into him in the hallway quite often. He pulls double-duty upstairs at Baseball Nation, too, so he's obviously a busy fella. So of course, we were pretty excited when he agreed to take a few minutes to answer some questions for us before the series with the Giants this week. Here goes:

Kevin Mitchell is Batman - The Reds play in quite possibly the most hitter friendly park in the majors, and have the benefit of many games in Wrigley, Minute Maid, and Miller as well. The Giants get to play in massive parks at home, at Petco, and in Oakland. The Reds opted to outlay over $200 million in contracts to their best hitters and go with relatively inexpensive pitchers, while the Giants did the exact opposite...do you think that's a wise strategy, or bass-ackwards on both accounts?

Grant Brisbee - AT&T Park isn't the black void that people make it out to be -- it's been pretty neutral for hitters over the last few years. It'll take home runs away from lefties without Bondsian power, and it'll take a few homers away from righties, but that's about it.

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

This one was close, since both Johnny Cueto and Joey Votto had solid outings today. Considering Cueto was facing a lineup full of has-beens and never-weres while Votto was doing damage against a guy who was 4-1 in his career vs. the Reds, the nod goes to our wealthy Canaditaliamerican 1B. Votto reached base in 4 of his 5 plate appearances, picking up 2 doubles, 2 walks, an RBI, and a run scored. Votto still hasn't uncorked much in the power department (due in large part to being pitched around a league leading 16 times), but he's sporting a ripe OBP of .444 and being patient. Until the rest of the bats wake up, that's just about all you can ask of him.

Cueto, too, was good today despite forgetting how to play defense and having his teammates forget as well. Cueto threw 111 pitches covering 6 1/3 innings, yielding 2 R (1 earned) on 5 hits while striking out 7, walking 2, and hitting 2. That's become the kind of game we can expect from our ace; it feels really good to write that about a Reds pitcher. Additional hat-tips are in order for Ryan Hanigan (1 for 3, 2 BB, R), Scott Rolen (RBI!!!), and Drew Stubbs (1 for 4, BB, R, RBI). Yes, I'm joking about Rolen...poor guy.

Key Plays

• The Reds flirted with 1st inning runs today, as Drew Stubbs walked, Joey Votto doubled, and Ryan Ludwick walked to load the bases. Alas, both Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen struck out to end a scoreless inning. Stubbs and Votto would lead the charge again in the top of the 3rd, however. Stubbs singled and Votto doubled to score him (courtesy of some Sorianlols). A Ludwick out and productive Bruce out came next before Old Man River blooped a single to right field to score Votto. Reds lead, 2-0.
  
• The Cubs little-leagued their way back into the game in the bottom of the 5th. Joe Mather was hit by a pitch, Starlin Castro reached on an infield single, and Mather came around to score when Joey Votto failed to snag a throw-over by Cueto. Bryan the Hair then singled up the middle to score Castro. Game tied, 2-2.
  
• Quick side-note: I love when I can cut and paste certain items from previous recaps, as it obviously saves time, but I especially like when I can use lines like the next sentence. Good teams waste no time in striking back, and the Reds did that today. Of course, the runs had every bit as much to do with the Cubs being godawful as it did with the Reds being good, since the Reds managed two runs without a hit. Ryan Hanigan walked, and Johnny Cueto was safe at first on a throwing error by Geovanny Soto. Dusty obviously was thrilled with the lack of bunt-stopping ability shown by the Cubs defense, so he called for Cozart to bunt as well...and he, too, was safe on a Soto throwing error. Drew Stubbs grounded into a Fielder's choice to score Hanigan, Ryan Ludwick was hit by a pitch, and Jay Bruce walked with the bases loaded to score Cueto. Old Man River then struck out to leave the bases loaded, but the Red lead 4-2.
• Cueto was brought out to start the bottom of the 7th after having already thrown 100 pitches, and he promptly walked a batter and hit another. Logan Ondrusek and Aroldis Chapman were brought in to put out that fire, and did. Chapman was uncharacteristically wild in the 8th, but got through unscathed, and though Sean Marshall conceded a run in the bottom of the 9th, he notched his 3rd save of the season. Reds win, 4-3.
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The Reds clearly watched the Cubs play two too many games, and are playing like they grew up idolizing Alfonso Soriano. Please, please stop that. Willie Harris is taking notes.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Since we here at the Red Reporter Rambunctious Recap wRiting Roundtable like to spread the wealth, Devin Mesoraco gets the nod today. The Golem reached base in each of his first 4 plate appearances, going 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored. Mez's great day at the plate brought him up to a .368/.455/.421 line on the season...and the young shall lead us.

Very, very honorable mention to Drew Stubbs, who continues to rake since being bumped up to the 2nd spot in the lineup. Stubbs went 3 for 5 for the second night in the row, with a double, run scored, 3 RBI, 2 SB, and no strikeouts. Homer Bailey also performed well despite the defense falling apart around him, yielding just 1 earned run and no walks over 7 solid innings. Jay Bruce was 2 for 5, Joey Votto was 1 for 4 with a BB, Zack Cozart returned to his on-base-getting ways, Todd Frazier-Madville had a pinch hit triple, and jch's buddy Willie Harris even got in on the action. An all around solid effort by the boys today.

Key Plays

• The Reds wasted no time in feasting on the 3-10 Cubs, as they busted through the door in the first inning of the 3 game series. Drew Stubbs singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a Starlin Castrlol. Joey Votto followed with a single, as did Jay Bruce, Scott Rolen walked, Chris Heisey singled, Willie Harris had an RBI groundout, Devin Mesoraco walked, and Homer Bailey struck out. That, folks, is what the Reds are supposed to do when facing Chris Volstad and the Cubs. Reds lead, 4-0.
  
• The wind was clearly an issue today, and that coupled with some lazy defense bit the Reds in the bottom of the 3rd. David DeJesus messed with Homer to the tune of a single, and on what should have been the third out of the inning, Chris Heisey misplayed a fly ball from Starlin Castro, dropping it to let in a run and allowing the inning to continue. Bryan LaHair followed with an RBI single, and the Reds lead had been halved.
  
• Good teams waste no time in striking back, and the Reds did that today. Rookies Devin Mesoraco and Zack "MVP" Cozart singled, and Drew Stubbs thought both of them should score, so he doubled. Reds lead, 6-2.
  
• While the Cubs scattered a few hits here and there, they never really mounted an effective rally, and each run they scored was matched by a Reds rebuttal. Darwin Barney had an RBI groundout in the 5th, but Homer Bailey's grounder scored Willie Harris in the top of the 6th; Alfonso Ribiero-Soriano had an RBI grounder in the bottom of the 6th, but Drew Stubbs singled in another run in the top of the 8th. Todd Frazier even got in on the action, picking up his first hit of the season on an RBI triple in the top of the 9th. Jose Arredondo was brought in to clean up the last half of the 9th, and he sat the Cubs down in order. Reds win, 9-4.
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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

On a day where Goodroyo graced us with his presence, the key cog in the game was none other than Drew Stubbs. The Centerfielder went 3 for 5 with a home run, run, and RBI, picked up a hit to the opposite field (what?), and only managed one strikeout. He's riding a 5 game hit streak, and has raised his yearly slash line to .229/.275/.292. Bat him cleanup!

A long list of honorable mentions today, as Brandon Phillips (2 for 5, HR, 2 RBI, 1.25 legs) and Ryan Ludwick (2 for 4, HR, 2 RBI) went deep and Bronson Arroyo (8 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 5 K, 0 BB; 1 for 4 at the plate) was about as good as we could hope for.

Key Plays

• It was the 4th inning before either team broke into the scoring column, and for the first time in awhile, it was the Reds who struck first. After Joey Votto struck out, Brandon Phillips teed off on an Adam Wainwright breaking ball, crushing a 436 foot solo shot to left field. Jay Bruce followed with an opposite field single, and Ryan Ludwick backed him up with another bomb to left. Reds lead, 3-0.
  
• The Reds played some good ol' fashioned add-on in the 5th. Bronson Arroyo helped himself with a leadoff single, but was out on Zack "MVP" Cozart's subsequent fielder's choice. No matter. Joey Votto walked, and cleanup extraordinaire Brandon Phillips singled to plate Cozart. Reds lead, 4-0.
  
• Goodroyo cruised into the 6th inning fairly unscathed, but he was touched up at that point. Rafael Furcal and John Jay had back to back singles, and Matt Holliday went deep to cut into the Reds lead. Reds lead, 4-3.
  
• Drew Stubbs immediately picked up his pitcher in the next inning, hitting a 416 foot shot to centerfield to give the Reds a 5-3 lead, and singles by Hanigan, Stubbs, and Votto in the 9th plated the last run of the day. Sean Marshall shaved, brushed off the cobwebs, ate a banana, and came on to close out the game, and after a single by Matt Holliday, he did just that. Reds win, 6-3.
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But you know what? Screw that.

Screw the first 12 games of this season. To hell with everyone being newly paid, newly primed, and crowned before the season started. Enough of being in awe of the Cardinals, and enough of being the poster-child of bad front office decisions.

It's always darkest before the dawn, Reds fans, and it doesn't get much darker than right now.

Tonight, the team was bad; tonight, many fans were worse. Just who the hell do we, as Reds fans, really think we are, anyway? More than that, just who the hell do we want to be? In more ways than one, I think it's time to give a full-fledged re-evaluation of who we are as a team, as a fan-base, and to many extents, as a blogosphere.

Up until a month ago, the national media had done everything in their power to shoehorn the Reds franchise into predictability, and in the process I believe they warped some of us fans as well. We were told this franchise couldn't sign Joey Votto. We were told we'd given up "the future" to trade for Mat Latos. We were told that this team was "all-in," and that we had a mere two years to see the fruits of two decades of frustration.

I know we all read that, and I know we all soaked it up. The evidence is rampant all over Red Reporter. You can use the search function at the top right of the page to find out, if you'd like.

But then, somehow, things changed...internally, at least. Maybe Walt read the press; Bob Castellini certainly did. Somewhere, lost in all of the fervor and screaming about the Reds pushing all their chips into the middle, the Reds brass pulled a fast one on all of us.

Joey Votto was given an extension. Brandon Phillips was given an extension. Nick Masset was given an extension. Sean Marshall was given an extension. The "Votto Window" as we'd known it was shattered, and the "Votto Era" began.

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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Zack Cozart. While the rest of the Reds lineup has consistently struggled, the rook has continued to impress. The only Red to reach base twice of his own accord, Cozart was 1 for 3 with a huge, game-tying 2 out RBI single in the 8th inning. He also was the only Red to manage a walk tonight. Sigh.

While Johnny Cueto didn't have his best stuff, he deserves mention for battling through 7 innings, yielding 7 hits, 2 BB, 1 ER, with 5 Ks over 113 pitches.

Key Plays

• I blinked and missed the Reds half of the 1st inning (7 pitches). Before I could dig up the box score for that half, the Reds were down 1-0 due to a Carlos Beltran HR to right field. Cards lead, 1-0.
  
• The Reds threatened to threaten in the 4th, as Zack Cozart led off with a walk and Joey Votto singled after him. Unfortunately, the lineup. Scott Rolen struck out. Jay Bruce struck out. Ryan Ludwick struck out. I broke my remote.
• Cards starter Kyle Lohse exited after 90 pitches to start the 8th, and for a minute, the Cardinalolz took the field. Ryan Hanigan reached on an error by 2B Daniel Descalso, and was surprising lifted for pinch-runner extraordinaire Devin Mesoraco. Wilson Valdez was then brought in to pinch-hit, and he too reached on an error by P Mitchell Boggs. After Brandon Phillips lined into a 4-3 double play, the air was seemingly let out of the Reds balloon...until Zack "MVP" Cozart stepped up and laced a single to right field, scoring Mesoraco (with some help from a bobble by Carlos Beltran). Game tied, 1-1.
• The Reds decision makers played 52 lineup-card pickup in extra innings, seemingly disregarding the fact that they had a collective $46 million of dominant, rested, LH pitching in the bullpen. The result? 3 walks and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th. Sigh. Reds lose, 2-1.
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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Joey Votto. The past, present, and future Reds 1B staked his claim to Reds team ownership with a huge opposite field 2 RBI double in the Top of the 11th inning off of All-Star RP Tyler Clippard. Votto was 1 for 3 on the day, with 3 BB, R, and those 2 RBI. Through 10 games, he has 10 hits and 10 BB, and given the lack of production from the Reds' cleanup batters (entering today, the collective production from the 4 spot has been .061/.184/.121, with 0 HR and 0 RBI), he's rarely had pitches to hit. Votto delivered, big time.

Honorable mentions to my favorite Red Ryan Ludwick (2 for 6, 2 R, 4 RBI, 3K, 1st inning grand slam), Aroldis Chapman (2 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 H, 4K), Laz Diaz & Mike Everitt (having zero clue how to call Reds hitters out in the first), Zack Cozart (3 for 6, 2 R), and Scott Rolen (team leading 1 SB!)

Key Plays

• The Reds, for once, were the 1st inning aggressors today. Brandon Phillips, back in the lineup, flied out to right, Zack Cozart singled up the middle, and then Joey Votto struck out on a pitch that was clearly outside. F.P. Santangelo, the Nationals color analyst, stands firmly convinced that Joey cast a vexing spell on home plate umpire Laz Diaz, causing Diaz to be incapable of calling anyone else out on strikes ever again. Mike Everitt must have been in on the deal, as he ruled Scott Rolen safe on a grounder when he was clearly out, and Jay Bruce loaded the bases with a walk on an off-speed pitch that was pretty clearly a high strike. Ryan Ludwick wanted in on the non-strikeout strikeout party, and promptly didn't strike out on a low heater that looked like strike three; on the very next pitch, he crushed one over the wall in left-center for a Grand Slam. Reds lead, 4-0
  
• Mike Leake cruised through the first 3 innings with low pitch counts and lots of thrown strikes. He ran into trouble in the 4th, however, as Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, and Ryan Zimmerman all reached base before Adam LaRoche drove in 2 on a hit to right field. Jay Bruce bobbled it, allowing the runners to move up to 2B and 3B, and two batters later Mark DeRosa plated Zimmerman on a groundout. Reds lead, 5-3.
• The bizarro Reds showed up during the first 5 innings, taking pitches and forcing long at-bats, and that paid off by chasing Nats SP Ross Detwiler early. Roger Bernadina pinch hit for him in the bottom of the 5th, and drew a walk. Ian Desmond followed with a double, and Bernadina scored from 1st. Reds lead, 5-4.
• Leake allowed Rick Ankiel to lead off the 7th with a double, and was pulled in favor of Logan Ondrusek after getting Wilson Ramos to ground out. Lurch promptly struck out PH Chad Tracy, but allowed a single by Ian Desmond to drive in Ankiel as Chris Heisey and Ryan Hanigan couldn't quite combine to nail him at the plate. Game tied, 5-5.
• The scoring subsided until the Top of the 11th, when the Reds got the bats going. Drew Stubbs led off with a single, and after Wilson Valdez popped out on a bunt, Zack Cozart hit behind the runner for a single, sending Drew to 3rd. Shaking in his boots, Tyler Clippard attempted to throw a strike to Joey Votto, but clearly should have just walked him (or fled the mound in fear). Instead, Votto smashed a low fastball to the left field wall, scoring both runners. Scott Rolen, formerly of Scott Rolen's Reds and currently of Joey Votto's Reds, blooped a broken-bat single up the middle to score Votto. Sean Marshall was brought in to close out, and he did. Reds win, 8-5.
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The Reds have squandered gifted calls and a 5-0 lead. Let's hope they dig it out in the 9th!