Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Johnny Cueto. Threw his customary seven innings, allowing four hits and a run. Struck out five, and somewhat worryingly walked four.
Key Plays
- Cueto was shaky in the first, giving up a single to Christian Guzman (who was then erased on a double play by Nick Johnson), a single to Ryan Zimmerman, and walks to Adam Dunn and Elijah Dukes. With the bases loaded and two outs, Cueto struck out Willie Harris.
- In the second inning, Jay Bruce drew a two out walk, Alex Gonzalez hit a single, and Ryan Hanigan drove in Bruce with a single to give the Reds a lead.
- "You tied, dawg!" Elijah Dukes homered in the fourth.
- In the fifth inning, Alex Gonzalez doubled to lead off, and Cueto and Hairston drew walks. Then Brandon Phillips hit a two run double, scoring Gonzalez and Cueto in our Frisch's Big Boy Big Play of the Game.
- Christian Guzman (Christian Guzman!) homered off of Arthur Rhodes (Arthur Rhodes!) in the eighth.
Other Notes
- This is the first time the Reds have won in Washington since Apr. 26, 2006. Coincidentally, this is the first Reds game in Washington that I haven't attended since Apr. 26, 2006.
- This was Cueto's sixth start this season in which he allowed no more than one run.
- Willy Taveras went 0-5 in the leadoff spot with three strikeouts and also was caught stealing.
- Alex Gonzalez went 2-4 to give him a higher batting average than Jay Bruce.
- The Nationals have only won 15 games. The next worst team in baseball, the Royals, have 24 wins, nine more than the Nats.
- St. Louis and Milwaukee both lost, putting Cincinnati in a three way tie for second place, 2.5 games back.