Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Sam LeCure. In a sentimental vote, we're giving the honor to the kid making his debut. He pitched well, going six innings in which he allowed six hits and two runs, and just about everyone helped him out at the plate. Honorable mentions go to Jonny Gomes, who accumulated enough bases to count for a cycle, and Drew Sutton.
Key Plays
- The rookie got off to a slightly rocky start, allowing a two out home run to noted creeper Hunter Pence. Astros lead, 1-0.
- The stage was set for yet another come-from-behind victory. Brandon Phillips answered Pence's homer with a two out solo shot of his own. Then Scott Rolen got an infield single and ran all the way home on Jonny Gomes's triple. Reds lead, 2-1.
- In the third inning, Michael Bourn, Jeff Keppinger, and Hunter Pence all strung singles together and Bourn scored. LeCure got Carlos Lee to ground back to the mound, then wisely walked Lance Berkman even though it loaded the bases. Pedro Feliz then grounded into a double play and the threat was over. Game tied, 2-2.
- It still looked like a close game. Then in the bottom of the third, the Reds just began punishing Wandy Rodriguez. Miguel Cairo continued his hot-hitting ways with a leadoff single and stole second. One out later, he scored on Scott Rolen's double. Then Jonny Gomes homered, and the Reds were leading 5-2.
- They put up another three runs in the fourth, chasing Wandy from the game. Ryan Hanigan singled, but was erased on a fielder's choice on LeCure's bunt. Orlando Cabrera singled, and Cairo walked, and the bases were loaded. Gustavo Chacin came in to relieve Rodriguez, but allowed a two run single to Brandon Phillips. One out later, he issued back to back walks to Gomes and Jay Bruce, which forced in Cairo. Reds lead, 8-2.
- All of that was merely prelude to the sixth inning. Jeff Fulchino replaced Chacin, but the Reds kept hitting. Cairo and Phillips both singled, and after Rolen flew out, Gomes singled also. His hit scored Cairo, and put him a double away from the cycle (and he had the walk!). Tim Byrdak came in from the bullpen and struck out Jay Bruce, but Drew Stubbs singled to drive in Phillips. Hanigan walked, and then pinch hitter Drew Sutton hit a grand slam! Reds lead, 14-2.
- With Sam LeCure's magical night over, Dusty turned to Mike Lincoln to close things out. A certain involuntary twitching of your eye might remind you of the last time Dusty turned a big lead over Lincoln with three innings left to play. After getting two quick outs, Lincoln walked Pence, and then Carlos Lee hit a run scoring double. Lincoln did strike out Berkman to end the inning though.
- Lincoln batted for himself in the bottom of the seventh and went back out to pitch the eighth. Tony Manzella hit a one out single, and Humberto Quintero hit a double to put two runners in scoring position. Pinch hitter Geoff Blum got one of them in with a grounder to shortstop Drew Sutton, and Michael Bourn drove in the other with a single. Bourn took second on defensive indifference and then Jeff Keppinger hit a double to bring him in. Micah Owings came out of the bullpen and that was the end of the Astros scoring. Reds lead, 14-6.
- The Reds felt they needed to get some of those runs back, and with the Astros turning to backup catcher Kevin Cash to pitch some mop up innings, the timing seemed good. Ryan Hanigan doubled and moved to third on Drew Sutton's single. First baseman Ramon Hernandez also singled, and Hanigan scored. Reds win, 15-6.
Other Notes
- The Astros had made some emergency callups and had 13 pitchers in their bullpen. They still used six pitchers tonight, including backup catcher Kevin Cash.
- The Reds have homered in 17 straight games, socking 27 dingers in those games.
- Jason LaRue was the last Red to hit a pinch hit grand slam, back on Sept. 4, 2005.
- Mike Lincoln made only the 16th plate appearance of his career in the seventh. He reached base.
- Lincoln has given up 11 runs in his last five innings of work.