The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Wilson Valdez. Rub your eyes, refresh your browser. It's not gonna change. The slick infielder had two hits and drove in 3. Honorable mentions for Bronson Arroyo's quality start (6 innings, 3 runs), to young Zack Cozart (two hits, 2B, run, nifty play to throw out Josh Thole) and BP (round-tripper).

Key Plays

• Jay Bruce got it going with an inside-the-parker in the second. Jason Bay dove and missed, sliding head-first into the wall in the process. He left the game with a concussion. Ryan Ludwick later hit an RBI double to make it 2-0.
• After a questionable HBP in the 3rd to Joey Votto (as in, whether it was intentional), Brandon Phillips delivered payback in the form of a more traditional honked wanger Popped Daniels. 4-0.
• The Mets got one back in the 6th, but the Reds came back in the top of the 7th. With two runners on and Votto-Phillips coming up, the Mets pulled in their infielders against Wilson Valdez. Big mistake! Two-run double down the 3B line. 6-1.
• Scott Hairston (with a baseball bat) hit a 2RHR in the bottom of the 7th to narrow it to 6-3. Good night, Arroyo.
• To prove his earlier run production was no fluke, Wilson Valdez drove in, ahem, Willie Harris (who'd hit a double) to drive in the game's final run in the 9th. Aroldis took it from there.

via www.fangraphs.com

• The baby just started crying, so other notes TBA. Not that you'll read them anyways. [Domestic update: Mrs. Ken returns; all rejoice]
• As Madville mentions in the comments, happy 63rd to Dusty. It's also the 74th anniversary of JVM's second no-no.
• Bruce's HR was the 6th inside-the-park HR in MLB this season, and first for the Reds since Drew Stubbs on June 17, 2011.
• Arroyo cruised for most of his outing. Struck out five and walked two, and allowed only four hits. But two of them were homeruns - and they were crushed.
• Arredondo, Marshall, and Chapman all pitched hitless, scoreless innings.
• BeeP's bopper gives him 22 RBIs in the last 18 games.
• Bears mentioning that not only did Willie Harris and Wilson Valdez both hit doubles, but they also each got a hit in the same inning. Spooky stuff.
• REO Speedwagon is apparently performing right about now at Citi.
• That picture wasn't just trolling - Bill O'Reilly really did throw out the first pitch. He was booed.