E.V. Oh! Oh!: Reds win 8-1

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Edinson Volquez AND Drew Stubbs. I could have taken the easy route and just given it to Volquez. The righty was outstanding over 6 innings, allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9. It was exciting to watch and be reminded of how great Volquez can be. However, for a team that's been scraping to get runs over the last week, Drew Stubbs provided a spark with 2 home runs and 3 RBI. He deserves more than an honorable mention. Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips and Jonny Gomes.

Key Plays

• Things didn't start off so hot for Volquez. Dexter Fowler opened the game with a double and then thankfully the Rockies decided to play for one run, sacrificing to move Fowler to third. Carlos Gonzalez drove him in with a single, but Brad Hawpe flied out and Seth Smith struck out and the Rockies got only that one run.  Rockies lead, 1-0.
• Miguel Cairo walked with one out in the second and then one out later Stubbs hit a blast to left field, his twelfth home run of the season.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• With one out in the third, Orlando Cabrera singled and was followed by a walk from Joey Votto. Cabrera then stole third as Votto advanced on a wild pitch. Jonny Gomes drove in Cabrera with a sacrifice fly to left.  Reds lead, 3-1.
• The scoring really took off in the fourth when Drew Stubbs hit a solo home run with one out in the inning. Ryan Hanigan followed with a walk and then went to third on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Volquez that catcher Miguel Olivo threw into center field. Brandon Phillips got in on the jack attack with his 13th home run of the season. Cabrera was hit by a pitch from new pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, but then a strike 'em out throw 'em out double play ended the inning.  Reds lead, 7-1.
• Bottom of the fifth, Jonny Gomes MASH! Reds lead, 8-1.
• That's where the scoring halted as Volquez and the bullpen duo of Logan Ondrusek and Jordan Smith kept the Rockies' bats quiet for the remainder of the game. Reds win, 8-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Volquez's start was the 6th time in the last seven starts by Reds pitchers where the starter went at least 6 innings and gave up 2 or fewer runs. The only start where that didn't happen was Mike Leake's start where he had given up just 1 run over the first 8 innings. The only pitcher over the age of 27 to make one of those starts was Bronson Arroyo.
  
• Attendance at tonight's game was 41,300. It was the third largest crowd at Great American Ball Park this season, and the largest game not involving the Cardinals. This series has already had 2 of the 5 largest crowds at GABP this season for a total of 78,488, with the series capper coming tomorrow. Perhaps fans are starting to pay attention to this first place squad?
• The win by Edinson Volquez was his first win since May 5th of last year.
• This was the 3rd game this season where the Reds hit 4 home runs or more.
• This was Stubbs's second career multi-home run game.
• Stubbs has the most home runs in the Reds outfield and is tied with BP for the 3rd most on the team. He's also 4th on the team in RBI and first in stolen bases. He's struggled, yes, but he's still provided some production. That's more than we can say from the CF position the last couple of seasons.