Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Orlando Cabrera. Just because how often is he gonna get this chance? Lando went 3-4 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Honorable mentions go to Ryan Hanigan, Mike Leake, Scott Rolen, and Jay Bruce.
Key Plays
- Mike Leake got off to his customary shaky start, giving up a single to Matt Kemp, then a home run to Andre Ethier in the first inning. Dodgers lead, 2-0.
- The Reds didn't let the game get out of sight though. Chris Dickerson and Orlando Cabrera opened up the bottom of the first with back to back singles, and Joey Votto then drove in Dickerson with a sacrifice fly. Chris Dickerson then checked out of the game to go collect recyclable electronics in the parking lot. Dodgers lead, 2-1.
- The game zipped by until the fifth inning, when Blake Dewitt led off with a single. Groundouts by Russell Martin and Vicente Padilla moved him to third base, and Rafael Furcal drove him in with a single. Dodgers lead, 3-1.
- In the bottom of the inning, Drew Stubbs and Ryan Hanigan got one out singles, and Mike Leake reached after his sacrifice bunt was thrown wide of the bag. Bases loaded, one out, and Chris Dickerson strikes out. Cabrera then hit a single to drive in Stubbs and bring up Votto with the bases jacked, but sadly Joey flew out to center. Dodgers lead, 3-2.
- The Reds finally made their move in the sixth inning. Brandon Phillips hit a double, and then Jay Bruce hit a two run dinger to put the Reds ahead. Reds lead, 4-3.
- This game was a back and forth affair all night, and so it was in the seventh. Russell Martin singled with one out and pinch hitter Garrett Anderson hit his first home run of the season, a two run shot to answer Bruce. After giving up five runs, it looked like Mike Leake might keep the winless streak of Reds starters intact. Dodgers lead, 5-4.
- When the Reds were winning all their games in their final chance earlier in the season, we talked about their feistiness and fight. Those traits came out tonight, and the Reds were able to answer the Dodgers one last time. With one out in the seventh, Cabrera singled and Votto walked. One out later, Scott Rolen doubled off of Ronald Belisario to drive both runners in and put the Reds back in the lead. An intentional walk to Jay Bruce, and then singles by Drew Stubbs and Ryan Hanigan provided some Great American Insurance Runs, and gave us our final score. Reds win, 8-5.
Other Notes
- It doesn't really need to be said, but this was the first win for a Reds starter this year, and also the first time the Reds won before their final at-bat.
- Leake was much better with his control, only walking one batter. He did give up eight hits, but they weren't as damaging when opponents weren't clogging the bases with free passes.
- Vicente Padilla struck out eight Reds, giving him 1,000 strikeouts for his career.
- This was the first time Drew Stubbs hasn't batted leadoff in his major league career.
- Jay Bruce is now batting .200. Yup, that means he raised his average.