Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Jay Bruce. The resurgent Bruce went 3-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. Honorable mention goes to Scott Rolen of Scott Rolen's Reds, who had two hits, including a home run, and scored three times.
Key Plays
- Homer Bailey got off to a blistering start, but slipped up in the fourth inning. David Eckstein gritted a single past Orlando Cabrera, and then Adrian Gonzalez hit a home run. Padres lead, 2-0.
- The Reds clawed themselves right back in it in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Scott Rolen walked and Jonny Gomes hit a single. Jay Bruce then singled as well, and Rolen scored on a close play at the plate. Ramon Hernandez also singled, but then got caught in a rundown between first and second base. Jonny Gomes scored in the ensuing asshattery, and Chris Welsh did his best to make us believe that it was a designed play. Either the statement or the play was the dumbest thing we've ever seen/heard, but at any rate, the score was now tied. Tie game, 2-2.
- Homer started to lose control in the sixth inning. With one out, MLS star Chase Headley singled, and then stole second. Bailey walked Will Venable, and then Kyle Blanks hit a bases clearing double. Homer composed himself and struck out the next two fools. Padres lead, 4-2.
- Scott Rolen homered in the bottom of the sixth. Padres lead, 4-3.
- Rolen led the charge in the eighth inning as well. He singled to start the inning, and scored one out later on a double by Jay Bruce. Bruce went to third on a throwing error. Clutch Man Monie then got a single to score Bruce and give the Reds the lead. Hernandez was replaced by pinch runner Chris Dickerson, who promptly stole second base. Pinch Hitter Ryan Hanigan got a walk, and so did the struggling Drew Stubbs. The bases were loaded with one out. Orlando Cabrera popped up in foul territory, and Joey Votto struck out. [sad trombone]. Reds lead, 5-4.
- In the ninth inning, Francisco Cordero got two quick outs before walking Nick Hundley and Tony Gwynn, Jr. Pinch runner Everth Cabrera stole second and went to third on a throwing error. With clenched buttholes, we watched as Cordero then got Jerry Hairston, Jr. to fly out to center. Reds win, 5-4.
Other Notes
- The Reds scored more runs in this game than in the previous two games of the series combined.
- Adrien Gonzalez has homered in six of his last seven games at GABP. His homer today moved him past Tony Gwynn for fourth most by a Padre.
- Homer Bailey's eight strikeouts tied a career high.
- The Reds are now .500 at home. As of 4:45 PM, they are statistically better than three other teams in the NL (Pittsburgh, Houston, Arizona).
- The Reds have made five outs on the basepaths in the last two games.