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Hey, those guys have similar names! Are they related? (That's racist!)
Edinson Volquez tries to build on the positive outcome of his last start when he threw 6 innings and gave up only one run. Oh sure, he walked 5 hitters that game too, but we don't have to remember every little bad thing, do we? Volquez was throwing his fastball a lot harder last start than he has all season. He also mixed in quite a few more change ups than he did in his previous two starts. He still isn't throwing the slider very much, but that's probably because he's still having trouble pinpointing the strike zone. Hoepfully this is something he can remedy tonight as he takes on the Braves for the third time in his career.
The current set of Braves have had some success off of Volquez, batting a collective .300/.396/.475, though Edinson has just a 2.25 ERA against the organization in 2 starts. Brian McCann is the only current Brave to have homered off of Volquez.
Not many of the Reds hitters have faced Javier Vazquez before, but those that have faced him have hit him hard. Alex Gonzalez in particular has faced Vazquez in 34 plate appearances, posting a .387/.441/.645 line, including 5 doubles and a home run. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Ramon Hernandez have both homered off of Vazquez as well.
Historically, Vazquez has been known to give up the long ball, but he's only surrendered one dinger so far this season. He already has 25 strikeouts in just 18 innings pitched, putting him 8th in the NL in that category. He's only surrendered 6 walks to this point as well, which means the Reds have their work cut out for them tonight.
It's going to take a strong effort from Volquez if the Reds are going to take home a win this evening. Hopefully we'll see a packed house since it is fireworks night, and the team is winning, and it is a beautiful night weather-wise. It'd be great to hear that stadium rocking for once. I wish I could be there in person, but I'll be there in spirit! Go Reds!