Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Brian Schneider. Scrubbsy McCatcherson hit one of a pair of three-run home runs off Mike Leake, and also got two more hits. Honorable mentions go to Wilson Valdez and Joey Votto.
Key Plays
- Things started off very promisingly for the Reds. Brandon Phillips hit a leadoff triple off of Joe Blanton, and Orlando Cabrera used a productive groundout to bring him home. Reds lead, 1-0.
- Mike Leake got wild in the second inning and walked Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth. They both advanced a base after Orlando Cabrera dropped a cutoff throw, but it didn't matter. Brian Schneider hit a home run. You know, the Nazi babe in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" was also named Schneider. Phillies lead, 3-1.
- In the fourth inning, Jayson Werth singled and so did Brian Schneider, one out later. Wilson Valdez then hit a three run homer, as everyone in the Reds dugout applauded, praising Mike Leake's Aaron Harang impression as "spot on." Phillies lead, 6-1.
- With two outs in the sixth, the Reds began to claw their way back. Miguel Cairo singled and Chris Heisey drew a walk. Ramon Hernandez, paragon of clutch that he is, hit a double to deep center and both baserunners scored. It should be noted that Dusty Baker let Mike Leake bat for himself with a runner on second and Scott Rolen available as a pinch hitter. Leake flied out to center, ending the inning, but then Dusty pulled Leake anyway and used Danny Ray Herrera to pitch the seventh. Now, I've gone on record many times as saying that Dusty should let Leake hit away more often. Still, a curious (non)use of bench and bullpen. Phillies lead, 6-3.
- The comeback stalled, and soon there were two outs in the ninth inning. Brad Lidge walked Brandon Phillips, and then Orlando Cabrera singled. Joey Votto came to the plate, with every Reds fan knowing that the team needed a home run to keep the game alive. Well, you know what my man Joey Votto did. Game tied, 6-6.
- Arthur Rhodes came in to pitch the tenth inning, something that can only be seen as the best decision. Unfortunately, the magical streak came to an ugly end. Ryan Howard led off the inning with a blast to left field that Laynce Nix could not catch and ended up on second base with a double. Jayson Werth walked, and then Raul Ibanez hit an 0-2 pitch to the wall in center field. Drew Stubbs ran back, reached out his glove, and popped the ball up. He juggled it, and looked to maybe have trapped it against the wall, but ultimately the ball fell in the dirt of the warning track as the shoulders of every Reds fan slumped. Howard scored the go ahead run. Pinch hitter Ben Francisco then hit a sharp ball off the glove of Miguel Cairo to drive in Werth. Nick Masset relieved Rhodes and faced Wilson Valdez. Valdez put down a squeeze bunt that Joey Votto fielded, but Ramon Hernandez couldn't hang on to the throw as Ibanez scored. Phillies win, 9-6.
Other Notes
- Arthur Rhodes's ERA went from 0.28 to 1.13. After 33 appearances without allowing a run, Rhodes failed to gain sole possession of the major league record.
- In his last four starts, Mike Leake is 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA.
- Brandon Phillips has two triples this season. Ryan Howard has three.