The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Ivan De Jesus Jr. hit his first major league home run tonight in the sixth inning off Cole Hamels with a runner aboard. It was also his first hit and first two runs batted in as a Red, and came during his first start for the Cincinnati nine. The dinger put the Reds up 5-3, a lead they would not relinquish. He even added a double later in the game.
Congraulations, Ivan, and welcome to Cincinnati.
Honorable mentions are due to Zack Cozart for his three hits, two runs scored and two runs batted in, and to Todd Frazier for his three hits, one run scored and one run batted in. Additional honorable mentions are due to Manny Parra and J.J. Hoover who combined for two perfect relief innings.
Key Plays:
- The Phillies got started early in this one when Ben Revere led off the game with a double to right field. Mike Leake got two quick outs and seemed to be on the verge of escaping the inning unscathed when Ryan Howard doubled, scoring Revere. Phillies lead 1-0.
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The lead was short lived, however, as Brandon Phillips continued his hot hitting ways by leading off the bottom of the first with a single of his own. He advanced to second on Joey Votto’s walk, and scored on Frazier’s RBI single to left. After one inning, all tied up at one run apiece.
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In the bottom of the second inning, Billy Hamilton singled to right with two out, then proceeded to steal his way home. He stole second and third, and then crossed the plate when Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz thought Phillips had been called out on strikes and threw to first to complete the out. In fact, Phillips had drawn a walk, so the throw was unnecessary, but it allowed Hamilton time to scamper home. It was not a stolen base per se, and instead was ruled a fielder’s choice, since Hamilton took the base on the throw to first. Regardless, Reds lead 2-1 after two innings.
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In the bottom of the third, Frazier reached on an infield single and scored on Zack Cozart’s double to left field that was badly misplayed by Cody Asche. Reds lead 3-1.
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The Phillies tied the game in the fourth after a leadoff double was erased in a fielder’s choice rundown play, but a passed ball by Tucker Barnhart and a couple of singles scored two runs to tie the game at 3-3.
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Leake flirted with danger in the sixth inning, finding himself with runners at second and third with no outs. After a strikeout, an intentional walk, another strikeout and a groundout, Leake escaped the inning to preserve the 3-3 tie.
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In the bottom of the sixth inning, De Jesus launched a two run home run to left field driving in Cozart. Reds lead 5-3.
- In the eighth, Cozart added an insurance run, hitting a solo home run to put the Reds up 6-3.
- Chapman entered the game in the ninth and allowed a lead off walk to Ruiz. Ruiz advanced to second on a ground out, third on a wild pitch, and scored on yet another wild pitch. After issuing a walk to Andres Blanco, Chapman stuck out Chase Utley to nail down the 6-4 win.
Fangraph:
<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2015-06-08&team=Reds&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2015-06-08&team=Reds&dh=0&season=2015">FanGraphs</a></span>
Other Notes:
- Of course, tonight began MLB’s 2015 first year player draft Please check here for Red Reporter’s in depth coverage and discussion of the newest Reds first round selection, catcher Tyler Stephenson.
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Tonight was also significant in that Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco made his professional debut as a left fielder for the Louisville Bats. Per Jim Day, Mesoraco played six innings, went 0-3, and no balls were hit to him.
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This was the first time in his entire career that Cole Hamels took a loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
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Billy Hamilton stole his 24th and 25th bases on the season in the second inning. Heading into tonight’s action, there were 11 entire teams with 25 or fewer stolen bases.
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Since Hamilton’s scoring play in the second was officially not ruled a stolen base, he still has not stolen home in his career. Personally I think he’ll hit an inside the park home run before he steals home.
- Tune!