Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Laynce Nix. Nix went 2-4 with two home runs, 2 R, and 4 RBI, as well as some nifty catches in LF. Johnny Cueto and Brandon Phillips both had great games too, but Nix had the coolest AP picture.
Key Plays
- Nix hit his first home run in the second inning.
- After Johnny Cueto reached base on a nice bunt in the third, Kyle Lohse left the game with a forearm injury. Jerry Hairston then reached on an error by Joe Thurston (THURSTON!!!) but was erased on Chris Dickerson's double play. Brandon Phillips blooped a single to score Cueto, then stole second and third base. Ramon Hernandez singled, and the Reds were up 3-0.
- Paul Janish singled in the fourth, moved to second on Cueto's sacrifice, then scored on a Jerry Hairston single. Why did Dusty even play this guy?
- By the seventh inning, Cueto was beginning to tire and gave up back to back doubles to Colby Rasmus and Brendan Ryan, leading to the only run he allowed all game.
- The Reds put the game out of reach in the eighth and ninth with a three run homer from Nix (our Frisch's Big Boy Big Play of the Game) and a two run shot from Brandon Phillips, respectively.
- Carlos Fisher came in to close out the proceedings, but looked a little shaky, giving up two runs before striking out Chris Duncan to end the game.
via FanGraphs
Other Notes
- This was the first time in seven games the Reds didn't allow a run in the first inning.
- Laynce Nix last had a multihomer game on May 12, 2004. It was his fourth career multihomer game.
- Despite drawing a walk, Jay Bruce is in a 1-24 slump.
- Chris Welsh's son graduated today, hence the presence of Kent Mercker in the booth.
- The Reds have had a disappointing road trip, but are still only 2.5 games out of first, and have, at worst, split this series with the Cardinals.