Cole sore. Reds lose, 3-2.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey.  Yes, he made a mistake to Shane Victorino, but he also pitched eight innings, struck out nine, and didn't walk anyone.  Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips (2-4 with a triple and the Reds first run) and Ryan Hanigan (2-3 with no strikeouts).

Key Plays

• Homer Bailey and Cole Hamels locked horns in a pitcher's duel.  Uncharacteristically, the Reds were able to draw first blood against Hamels, scoring in the fourth inning.  Brandon Phillips led off with a triple, when Hunter Pence fell down attempting to catch the fly ball.  Dave Sappelt struck out, but Joey Votto was able to put his bat on the ball, and Phillips scored on Votto's groundout.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Unfortunately, the Phillies answered right back.  New Phillie Hunter P(h)ence hit a single, but was erased at second on John Mayberry's force out.  Carlos Ruiz singled, and Mayberry went to third.  Even if he'd stayed on second, he would have scored when Wilson Valdez hit a double that fell under the glove of a diving Dave Sappelt.  With runners on second and third and only one out, Homer Bailey struck out Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino to escape without further damage.  Game tied, 1-1.
• In the eighth inning, Wilson Valdez led off with a single, and one out later, Shane Victorino turned a pitch around and put it in the Moon Deck.  Phillies lead, 3-1.
• The Reds tried their luck against reliever Michael Stutes in their half of the eighth.  Ryan Hanigan hit a one out single, and after pinch hitter Fred Lewis struck out, Brandon Phillips squeezed a hit through the infield.  Dave Sappelt then hit a ball to Placido Polanco, but the third baseman's throw was errant.  Sappelt was safe and Hanigan scored.  But Joey Votto grounded out with runners on the corners.  Phillies win, 3-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• At least Hamels didn't get the win, but he's still undefeated against the Reds.
• Brandon Phillips has a 12 game hitting streak, which is the longest by a Red this season.  That's surprising given the presence of Joey Votto, or Jay Bruce on one of his hot streaks.
• Yonder Alonso played third base for the first time as a professional.  He had no chances in the game.  He did strike out three times, as did fellow rookie Dave Sappelt.  So did Placido Polanco, on the Philadelphia side.
• The Reds now have 29 one-run losses, most in the majors.