Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Scott Rolen. Rolen was getting his customary rest in the day game following the night game, but entered in the ninth as a pinch hitter and socked a two run homer off Trevor Hoffman to tie the game. They're his Reds. He can't let them lose. Honorable mentions go to Marco Estrada and Casey McGehee.
Key Plays
- Homer Bailey's only true rough patch came in the first inning. After two quick outs, he gave up a home run to Ryan Braun, then a double to Prince Fielder and a run scoring single to Casey McGehee. Brewers lead, 2-0.
- Brand new leadoff hitter Chris Heisey walked to start the game for the Reds, and two outs later, the unstoppable Jonny Gomes drove him in with a double. Brewers lead, 2-1.
- Manny Parra was making an emergency spot start today, and was on a pitch count of roughly 80. By the fourth inning, the Reds had basically gotten him to that limit and he was starting to falter. Jay Bruce singled and stole second before Ryan Hanigan walked. Paul Janish moved them both up a base with a groundout, but then Homer Bailey struck out. Chris Heisey walked again to load the bases, but Brandon Phillips smashed the first pitch he saw towards Casey McGehee, who made a nice play to end the threat. Brewers lead, 2-1.
- Bailey had effectively shut down the Brewers, and in the eighth inning, Mike Lincoln came on in relief. After getting out Ricky Weeks, Alcides Escobar singled, and Lincoln walked Braun. Dusty went to the pen again and brought in Danny Ray Herrera, who clutchily struck out Prince Fielder. But then Dusty left him in to face the right handed Casey McGehee, who singled and scored Escobar. Dusty once again went to the bullpen and brought in Carlos Fisher. McGehee then stole second base, and perhaps rattled Fisher, because Carlos then threw a wild pitch and Braun scored. Brewers lead, 4-1.
- This three run lead seemed insurmountable, because brand new call up Marco Estrada had shut down the Reds for three innings in relief of Parra. However, in his fourth inning of work, Joey Votto finally got to him by smashing a home run that went on top of the boat in left field. Brewers lead, 4-2.
- With Fisher pitching a Cordero-esque ninth inning, the Reds were down to their last chance to pull some magic from their hat and hold on to first place for another day. Paul Janish singled off Trevor Hoffman to begin the inning, and then pinch hitter Scott Rolen stepped in for the Frisch's Big Boy Big Play of the Game. A home run to left center that tied the game! Reds fans were in disbelief over this swing in fortunes, but the inning wasn't over. Chris Heisey, who had a fine game, doubled and Brandon Phillips drew a walk. Then Joey Votto, who might have some words with Rolen over whose team this really is, hit the run-scoring, game-ending single. Reds win, 5-4, earning the series sweep and maintaining first place in the NL Central.
Other Notes
- The Reds have played three day games at home, besides Opening Day, and have won all of them on walk off hits. This was the tenth game (out of 23) that the Reds have won in their final at-bat.
- This was Trevor Hoffman's 999th appearance.
- Rolen is 6-13 against Hoffman, with four home runs.
- The Reds are now 23-12 in games in which Rolen plays this year. They are 0-4 when he doesn't play.
- The Reds are seven games over .500 for the first time since Jul. 1, 2006.