Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Aaron Harang.
Honorable mention to Jay Bruce and Corey Hart.
Key Plays
- In the bottom of the first Orlando Cabrera hit a one out single. Next, presumptive MVP Joey Votto doubled him in, followed one out later by a Jonny Gomes blooper that scored Votto. 2-0 Reds.
- Aaron Harang pitched two very good innings, but started the third by allowing a hit to Randy Wolf, a walk to Rickie Weeks, and then a 2-run double to Corey Hart. Bryan Price came out to check on him, and they decided to pull him because of a blister on his throwing hand. He walked off to a nice, if not overwhelming, standing ovation from the 37+ thousand in attendance. Logan Ondrusek came on to stop the scoring and allowed no further damage. 2-2 game.
- In the bottom of the 4th Jay Bruce hit another rocket homer to center field. It was his 25th homer on the year, and his 12th against a left-handed pitcher. 3-2 Reds.
- In the 6th Dusty Baker replaced every starter except Ramon Hernandez, eliciting lame spring training jokes from everyone in the universe. On another note, how great is it that the organization is so deep that they can field 2 entire lineups without anyone embarrassing being on the field?
- In the 7th Corey Hart made it to 3rd base with 2 outs, and with Prince Fielder facing Aroldis Chapman, Hart was caught trying to steal home, ending the inning.
- Arthur Rhodes got 2 outs in the eighth, walked a batter, and was replaced by Jared Burton. On his way off the field he also received a nice ovation. Perhaps Reds fans aren't quite so short of memory as we think.
- Francisco Cordero pitched another scoreless inning, earning his 40th save. Reds win, 3-2.
via www.fangraphs.com
Other Notes:
- The Reds finish the season at 91-71, exceeding pretty much everyone's pre-season expectations. This is the highest win total since the 1999 team won 96 games. The last Reds team to win 91 was the 1990 team, and we all know how that turned out.
- Jay Bruce ends the year with an .846 OPS, third highest on the team and just below Scott Rolen. Bruce may not have been the key to the Reds offense this season, but I'm guessing he will be the key during the playoffs.
- Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base, becoming just the 9th Red ever to hit 20 HR and steal 30 bases in a single season. He finishes with a .773 OPS, good for 5th on the team.
- Francisco Cordero reached a career high with 40 saves. He also becomes just the 4th Reds pitcher ever to reach that mark. Can you name the other 3? He has now gone 8 outings and 8 innings without walking a batter.
- Aaron Harang (likely) ends his Reds tenure with a record of 75-80, 1343 innings pitched, 1125 strikeouts, and an ERA+ of 102.
- On to the PLAYOFFS!!! (As of press time, we still don't know who the Reds will be playing. If San Diego wins, we won't know for a while. If they lose, we've got the Phillies)