Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Ryan Hanigan. It's baffling that he's a backup catcher, because Zap Hanigan went 2-3 with a walk and 3 RBI. Honorable mentions go to the scorching Jay Bruce, Orlando Cabrera, and Aaron Harang.
Key Plays
- Although Ryan Hanigan was the JNMHSotG, he didn't help his pitcher early in the game. Michael Bourn was hit by pitch in his ultimatum, then stole second and took third on Hanigan's throwing error. The gritty Jeff Keppinger then grounded out to drive in Bourn, and took some time to ask how Drew Sutton was panning out on his way back to the dugout. Astros lead, 1-0.
- Batting in the cleanup spot for a change, Scott Rolen was immediately hit by a pitch in the top of the second inning. Jay Bruce walked, and Orlando Cabrera singled to load the bases with no outs. Wanting to atone for his error in the last inning, Ryan Hanigan singled and drove in two runs. Reds lead, 2-1.
- Brandon Phillips got picked off in the third inning. Seriously, what the hell?
- The Reds put some more runs on the board in the sixth inning. Jay Bruce and Orlando Cabrera singled to start things off, and Jonny Gomes and Hanigan both singled to drive them in. Drew Stubbs hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Gomes. Reds lead, 5-1.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Lance Berkman hit a ground rule double, and Geoff Blum moved him to third with a single. J.R. Towles brought in Berkman with a sac fly. Reds lead, 5-2.
- Silly pitching mistakes happen to other teams! In the eighth inning, Orlando Cabrera walked to lead off, then moved to third on Gomes's groundout, and stole third. I know, Slo-Cab, right? Sammy Gervacio, so unnerved by this improbable gusto on the basepaths, balked and allowed Cabrera to score for free. Reds win, 6-2.
Other Notes
- Aaron Harang won for the first time since Aug. 9, 2009. It was only the second win by a starter this year.
- Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth inning, even though it wasn't a save situation.
- The Reds had nine hits, but all were singles.
- Dusty Baker switched the lineup up a bit, moving Brandon Phillips up to second and putting Scott Rolen at clean up. Both of them went hitless. However, Jay Bruce and Orlando Cabrera, batting fifth and sixth, both had two hits and three walks between them.
- Phillips might have gotten picked off, but Hanigan nailed Michael Bourn and Carlos Lee when they tried to steal bases. Ha! Suckers.