Why can't we win them all?!? Cubs win, 3-2.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Kosuke Fukudome, who went 2 for 3 with a HR.  The only other players to reach base more than once were Jay Bruce (1 for 3 with a walk) and Ryan Hanigan (2 for 4).  Xavier Nady and Joey Votto did manage home runs though, with Votto racking up his 32nd of the season on the same night that Adam Dunn hit number 32.  But still, the Reds once again made Randy Wells look like a pretty decent pitcher; he scattered six hits over six innings while walking two and allowing only two runs.

Key Plays

• Arroyo gave up his first HR in the second inning to Xavier Nady.  Then Jay Bruce robbed Kosuke Fukudome of at least a double, and probably a HR.  Cubs lead 1-0.
• Joey Votto tied it up with a solo HR to lead off the bottom of the fourth.
• Fukudome finally got that HR (this time with a runner on) in the fifth; Cubs lead 3-1.
• The Reds got one back in the sixth when, after a leadoff Votto groundout, Scott Rolen doubled, Jonny Gomes singled, and Ryan Hanigan singled.  But Gomes and Hanigan didn't move from first and second since Drew Stubbs flied out and Paul Janish grounded out weakly to the pitcher.  Cubs lead 3-2.
• Arroyo stayed in to pitch the seventh and very nearly gave up a one-out solo HR to Tyler Colvin.  Bruce caught it just in front of the wall.  Fukudome then singled but was caught stealing to end the threat.
• Left hander James Russell was brought in to pitch the seventh.  Dusty brilliantly let Juan Francisco face him; he promptly struck out on three pitches.  After a Bruce strikeout and a Valaika single, the inning ended on a clearly incorrect called third strike call on Joey Votto.  For some reason it was appealed down to the third base umpire, who said he went around.  Yeah, he didn't.  Though to be fair, he had benefited from a borderline pitch being ruled a ball earlier in the AB...
• Nick Masset pitched a scoreless eighth, giving up one hit while striking out three.  Then Andrew Cashner made it look even easier, only needing eight pitches to retire the Reds in the bottom of the inning.
• Masset stayed in for the ninth and got two groundouts on nice plays by Janish and a popout to first.
• Carlos Marmol, one of the wildest closers in the majors, came in to close out the game for the Cubs.  Drew Stubbs promptly popped up the first pitch he saw.  Next Marmol struck out Paul Janish, and pinch hitter Ramon Hernandez popped out in foul territory to end this one.  Cubs win, 3-2.

via www.fangraphs.com