Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Cliff Lee. Lee showed his future team just what they'd be getting with a complete game shut out of what hardly seems like the National League's best offense these days. The Reds managed six hits, but Lee struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. Honorable mention goes to Jose Lopez, Danny Ray Herrera, and Joey Votto.
Key Plays
- The Reds had runners in scoring position in the first, third, and eighth innings. No clutch hits, though.
- The Mariners loaded the bases in the second on a double by Jose Lopez and walks to Josh Wilson and Rob Johnson, before Johnny Cueto got Michael Saunders to foul out.
- The only run of the game came in the sixth inning. Cueto got two quick outs, but then hit Lopez with a pitch. Franklin Gutierrez sent him to second with a bloop single, and then Josh Wilson singled to center. Lopez came home and Chris Heisey's throw appeared to be in time, but Lopez slid around Corky Miller's tag and touched home. Mariners win, 1-0.
Other Notes
- This was Seattle's 26th win of the season. The Reds won their 26th game on May 24.
- Clearly this was a pitcher's duel, but Cliff Lee threw fewer pitches (110) in 9 innings than Johnny Cueto threw in 5.2 (115). This is partly because the Reds were very aggressive at the plate. Joey Votto saw 7 pitches in four at-bats, Jonny Gomes saw 9 pitches in four at-bats, and Corky Miller saw 8 pitches in three at-bats.
- The Reds are 13-33 on the West Coast over the last four years.
- Despite having the best offense in the National League, the Reds have been shut out six times this season, and four times since May 30.