Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Orlando Cabrera.  The newly returned shortstop had two hits, including a double, and two RBI.  Sure, some might say that Chris Carpenter, Matt Holliday, and maybe even Colby Rasmus had good games.  But I take no notice.   Enough other people will fawn over them.  Here, they don't even get an honorable mention.

Key Plays

• After getting baserunners in three of the first four innings, but not scoring any runs, the Reds finally went ahead in the fifth.  Drew Stubbs led off with a single off Chris Carpenter, and after Chris Heisey and Homer Bailey struck out, Brandon Phillips hit a double that sent Stubbs to third.  Then Orlando Cabrera also doubled, and the Reds enjoyed a 2-0 lead.
• But not for long.  Colby Rasmus double to lead off the bottom of the inning, and small balled his way home with productive outs - a fly out from Yadier Molina and a grounder from Pedro Feliz.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Homer Bailey worked into the sixth inning and got two quick outs.  But then the pesky Jon Jay hit a double, extending the inning.  Taking no chances with Albert Pujols, Bailey intentionally walked him, but Matt Holliday made him pay with a home run to dead center field.  The Reds would never threaten after that, getting only one more hit the rest of the game.  Cardinals win, 4-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Chris Carpenter is the new Roy Oswalt.  He has a ten game winning streak against the Reds dating back to 2006.  Five of those wins came this year.
• The Cardinals finish the season series with a 12-6 advantage ("the Wainwright").  Five of those wins came from Chris Carpenter, and four came from Jaime Garcia.  Brandon Phillips finished the season series with a .236 average against the Cards.  Albert Pujols hit .317 against the Reds.  Joey Votto hit .290 and Scott Rolen hit .262.
• This was the first time the Reds have lost one of Homer Bailey's starts since May 23 against Cleveland.