Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Jay Bruce. The NL's hottest hitter only went 1-5 tonight, but his hit came at the most crucial moment. His bases loaded double won the game for the Reds, snapping a six game losing streak. Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto, who reached base four times, and Drew Stubbs, who had two hits including a double, and threw out Jimmy Rollins at home.
Key Plays
- Joey Votto came to bat in the first inning with two outs and the bases empty, a situation he sees more than any other #3 hitter in baseball. He doubled, because he's Joey Votto and he's awesome, and then Scott Rolen blooped a single over the head of Chase Utley. Votto motored all the way home. Reds lead, 1-0.
- The Reds squandered a chance to score in the second inning with runners on the corners and no outs. The Phillies did not. Ryan Howard doubled to lead off the second, then Raul Ibanez doubled and Howard scored to tie the game. Carlos Ruiz grounded out, and Ibanez moved to third. Domonic Brown then flew out, and Ibanez tagged and scored. Phillies lead, 2-1.
- Drew Stubbs threw out Jimmy Rollins at the plate in the third inning, but in the fourth, Raul Ibanez singled with one out. Carlos Ruiz doubled, and Ibanez scored again. Phillies lead, 3-1.
- The Phillies have perhaps the best rotation in baseball, but the Reds were facing relative weak link in the armor Vance Worley. They needed to win tonight, and in the fifth inning, Worley did his best to oblige. He started by walking his opposite number, Johnny Cueto. Drew Stubbs then hit a ground rule double, and Brandon Phillips hit a soft flare to right field. Both Cueto and Stubbs scored. Joey Votto walked, but Scott Rolen flew out and Jay Bruce struck out. Worley intentionally walked the amazingly hot Ramon Hernandez, and Chris Heisey came up with the bases loaded and two outs and the chance to take the lead. He popped up the ball, and Ryan Howard caught it in foul territory. Game tied, 3-3.
- Finally, the ninth inning came around. Ryan Madson was pitching for the Phillies. With one out, Drew Stubbs laid down a bunt for a single, then went to second on Madson's errant throw. Brandon Phillips lined out, and Madson pitched around Votto. If the Reds were going to win the game, it would have to be someone other then the MVP that would do it. Fortunately, Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce were behind Votto in the lineup. Rolen smashed a ball to third base and reached on the infield single, which loaded the bases. Then Jay Bruce came up with the bases loaded and two outs and the chance to take the lead. He doubled to right center, clearing the bases in a cathartic victory. Reds win, 6-3.
Other Notes
- Despite not having the pedigree of his rotation mates, Vance Worley had a 1.59 ERA coming into this game.
- The Phillies have now lost 10,251 games in their history. Atlanta is only just now approaching the 10,000 loss milestone (9,977), despite playing 532 more games than the Phils.