The win that was less exciting than a tie. Reds win, 11-5.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Jonny Gomes.  It has to be Gomes, thanks to his two home runs and six RBI.  Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips, who had three hits to continue his torrid, 15 game hitting streak, and Billy Butler.

Key Plays

• A day after being unable to string hits together in a timely manner, the Reds jumped right on Brian Bannister in the first inning.  Brandon Phillips homered, and then Joey Votto drew a walk. He even stole a base!  Scott Rolen then singled, and Jonny Gomes hit a three run homer.  Reds lead, 4-0.
• Johnny Cueto, gifted that run support, quickly squandered it all.  Jose Guillen singled, and Mike Aviles doubled to put runners on second and third.  Yuniesky Betancourt grounded out to the pitcher, but Guillen came home.  Brian Bannister, who might start thinking about a switch of leagues, hit a double that drove in Aviles.  Scott Podsednik walked, Jason Kendall walked, and the bases were loaded.  The bases were cleared when David DeJesus doubled on a ball over Jonny Gomes's head.  Royals lead, 5-4.
• In the third inning, Brandon Phillips singled, then went first to third in an unconventional way by stealing second and forcing an errant throw.  Joey Votto walked again and Jonny Gomes hit his second three run homer of the game.  The Reds weren't done as Jay Bruce tripled and Ramon Hernandez singled to drive him in.  Reds lead, 8-5.
• More scoring for the Reds in the fourth inning.  Orlando Cabrera reached on an error, and then went from first to third in a more conventional manner on Brandon Phillips single, his third hit of the game.  Joey Votto singled to drive in Lando and Scott Rolen's single scored Phillips.  In a "man bites dog" twist to the game, Jonny Gomes was hit by a pitch, loading the bases and robbing him of his third three run homer.  Drew Stubbs hit a sacrifice fly, Votto scored, and no more runs were scored for the rest of the game.  Reds win, 11-5.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Gomes's six RBI were a career high, and the most by a Red this season.
• Brian Bannister tried to pitch on an empty stomach and was shellacked.  Eat before you go, BRAWW!  Thank you, parrot.  A little late for that.
• Johnny Cueto has allowed 10 hits in each of his last two outings.  Is anyone else astonished that he's 6-1?
• The Reds were hit by pitches four times, tying the record for the most times being hit in one game.  The last time it happened was Sept. 5, 1965.  Jonny Gomes was hit twice and has now been hit six times this year after being hit only five times all last year.  His career high is 14 HBP in 2005.
• Brandon Phillips is hitting .462 during his hitting streak, and .643 in his last three games.