Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Ramon Hernandez. One night after being the goat, Clutch Man Monie had two hits, including a double, a walk, and an RBI. Honorable mentions go to Jonny Gomes, Drew Stubbs, and Mike Leake.
Key Plays
- St. Louis got off to the early start, just as they did last night. David Freese started off the second inning with a double, moved to third on Yadier Molina's ground out, and scored on Skip Schumaker's sacrifice fly. Cardinals lead, 1-0.
- The Reds, scrappy as ever, got that run right back. Jay Bruce singled in the second, moved to second and third on productive groundouts from Jonny Gomes and Drew Stubbs, and scored when Ramon Hernandez singled. Game tied, 1-1.
- Colby Rasmus homered in the third. What a dick. Cardinals lead, 2-1.
- In the bottom of the fourth, Jay Bruce walked, but was caught stealing. Bruce has been one of the better baserunners this season, and his first time caught stealing was incredibly inopportune, because Jonny Gomes immediately hit a home run. Game tied, 2-2.
- Scott Rolen took some vengeance on his old team, doubling off Adam Wainwright in the bottom of the sixth. Respecting Gomes's bat, Wainwright intentionally walked him to get to Stubbs. Big mistake. Boom goes the triple to right center! Reds lead, 4-2.
- It looked like some insurance runs were in the offing in the seventh inning. With one out, Brandon Phillips singled, and Joey Votto and Rolen both walked. With the bases loaded, former Red Dennys Reyes came in, and got Jay Bruce to ground into a double play.
- The ninth inning rolled around, and it was time for some Soso Cordero hijinx. David Freese singled to start things off, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and went to third on Yadier Molina's groundout, just like in the second inning. Skip Schumaker singled to bring in Freese, and bring the Cardinals within one run. One out later, pinch hitter Joe Mather doubled to deep left, but defensive replacement Chris Heisey, with a relay from Orlando Cabrera, threw Schumaker out at home! Reds win, 4-3!
Other Notes
- Drew Stubbs has 18 RBI. That's good for third on the team behind Votto and Gomes. Last year, our CF only had 41 RBI all season, the least of any position. Part of that is from our centerfielders always batting leadoff, and part of it is from them being terrible. But while Stubbs has been scuffling all season, it's pretty impressive that he's gotten it done as much as he has.
- Mike Leake: still undefeated. Before the series, some people were saying to be satisfied with one win. Well there it is, and there's still another whole game left to play!
- I'm pretty sure this is the first time the Reds won the Civil Rights Game.