Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Jay Bruce. I don't know what it takes to win NL Player of the Week, but this kid sure has it. He went 3-4 tonight with a double, a run scored, and 2 RBI.
Key Plays
- It was a bumpy start for the Reds, with some rally killing double plays. In the first inning, Brandon Phillips doubled and Joey Votto walked, but Scott Rolen hit into a double play. In the second, Jay Bruce doubled and went to third on a groundout, but Jonny Gomes flew out and Bruce as thrown out at the plate.
- In fact, the Cardinals got on the board first. After getting two outs in the bottom of the third, Skip Schumaker singled and Chief Justice Jon Jay hit a ground rule double. Johnny Cueto wisely walked Albert Pujols, but Matt Holliday got the bases loaded single to drive in two runs. Cardinals lead, 2-0.
- The Reds looked poised to take over the game in the fourth inning. Brandon Phillips singled and Votto walked again. Scott Rolen singled, and Jay Bruce got an infield hit that scored Phillips. Then Red Reporter favorite Orlando Cabrera hit into one of those rally killing, inning ending double plays I was telling you about. Cardinals lead, 2-1.
- Votto walked again, this time with one out in the sixth inning. He went to second on Rolen's grounder, then scored when Jay Bruce singled. Red Reporter favorite Orlando Cabrera and Jonny Gomes both singled too, with Gomes's hit scoring Bruce. Lando stole third base and Ramon Hernandez walked. Bases loaded, two outs, and Johnny Cueto batted for himself. And struck out. Reds lead, 3-2.
- Then the rains came.
- With Danny Ray Herrera pitching in the seventh inning, David Freese and Nick Stavinoha singled. But in a display of Hanigan-like ability, Ramon Hernandez picked off Freese at second, which was a good thing because then Brendan Ryan singled too. Arthur Rhodes then came in and strode across Ryan Ludwick and Tyler Greene like a colossus, getting them both out and ending the inning. Reds lead, 3-2.
- The heart of the Cardinals order faced Nick Masset in the eighth. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday both singled, and there were runners on second and third with no outs after Masset uncorked a wild pitch. But he settled down and struck out Colby Rasmus before walking Yadier Molina intentionally to set up the double play. And damned if it didn't work! David Freese grounded into the ol' 5-4-3 DP. Reds win, 3-2.
Other Notes
- This is the first time the Cardinals have lost the opening game of a series this season.
- Brad Penny had been averaging less than one earned run per game, and the Reds scored three off of him.
- Johnny Cueto earned the win, leaving Homer Bailey as the only starter without a win. Bailey pitches tomorrow.
- The Reds have won five games in a row, their longest winning streak since winning six in a row Sept. 20-26, 2009, over the Marlins, Pirates, and Astros. The Reds finish April with a winning record, even if they technically finished the game that pushed them over .500 in May.
- There was a 2 1/2 hour rain delay.