Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Rod Barajas. Using the Laynce Nix rule of yesterday, Barajas gets the nod for hitting the game-winning home run. Honorable mentions go to Jose Reyes and Carlos Fisher.
Key Plays
- Within the first five pitches of the game, the Mets already had a 1-0 lead. Angel Pagan singled on a swinging bunt, Luis Castillo singled, sending Pagan to third, and Jose Reyes singled to bring him in. Mets lead, 1-0.
- Brandon Phillips hit a dinger off the foul pole in the bottom of the first. Game tied, 1-1.
- Some heads up baserunning put the Reds in front in the second. Jay Bruce walked to start the inning, and two outs later, Ryan Hanigan singled. Bruce aggressively went to third on the play, and when Jeff Francoeur's throw went wide and into the dugout, he trotted home with a run. Reds lead, 2-1.
- David Wright hit a solo shot in the top of the fourth. Game tied, 2-2.
- Bronson Arroyo had been pitching well, but began to lose it in the sixth inning. Luis Castillo led off with a walk, and a double by Reyes put runners on second and third with no outs. Jason Bay hit a sacrifice fly, and after Reyes moved to third on a fly out by Wright (barely beating Jay Bruce's throw), Ike Davis walked to put runners on the corners. Jeff Francoeur's smashed a ball that ate up Scott Rolen. Rolen came up with the ball but was unable to do anything with it, and Reyes scampered home. Mets lead, 4-2.
- In the eighth inning, Joey Votto and Scott Rolen hit back to back home runs to tie the game again. Game tied, 4-4.
- But scrubby catcher Rod Barajas homered off of Francisco Cordero in the ninth. Mets win, 5-4.
Other Notes
- Rod Barajas has five home runs in his last nine games. Who knew?
- Carlos Fisher struck out the side in the eighth.
- Joey Votto finally overtook Orlando Cabrera for the team lead in RBI. He has 15.
- According to Mister Redlegs, Cincinnati fielded the first team of entirely professional baseball players 141 years ago today.