Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Nick Masset. After Micah Owings and Bill Bray did their best to choke away the game in the sixth inning, Nick Masset came in and pitched 1.1 innings of no-hit baseball to deliver the game to Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero. Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto and Ryan Zimmerman.
Key Plays
- An irregular lineup took the field for the Reds, but Luis Atilano walked Orlando Cabrera and Paul Janish to lead off the game. Then Joey Votto parked a ball in the moon deck. Reds lead, 3-0.
- The Nationals pulled a run back off of Mike Leake in the third inning. Adam Kennedy hit a one out single, and Luis Atilano sacrificed him to second. Nyjer Morgan hit a single and Kennedy went down to third and left to home. Down... and to the left. Down... and to the left. Reds lead, 3-1.
- Miguel Cairo continued to perform well in the place of Scott Rolen, drawing a leadoff walk in the fourth inning. He went from first to third on Drew Stubbs's single, and scored when Mike Leake singled one out later. Stubbs, who had also gone first to third, scored on Orlando Cabrera's groundout. Reds lead, 5-1.
- 2:40:00 rain delay.
- Both bullpens really struggled when the game resumed. Doug Slaten walked Joey Votto in the bottom of the fifth, and Jonny Gomes singled him to third. Jay Bruce grounded out and Votto scored. Productive out! Miguel Cairo singled, and naturally Gomes went to third. Drew Stubbs struck out, but Cairo stole second anyway, and then Corky Miller hit a ball to Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman's throw skipped past Adam Dunn and Gomes and Cairo both scored. Reds lead, 8-1.
- Micah Owings went to the bump for the Reds and visions of a three inning save for the long man danced in Reds fans' heads. However, he walked Dunn, the first batter he faced, and then Ryan Zimmerman hit one just inside the foul pole. Home run. Owings showed his composure by plunking Josh Willingham. He struck out Roger Bernadina and got Ivan Rodriguez to pop out for two quick outs, but walked Adam Kennedy. Dusty lost all remaining faith in Owings and brought in Bill Bray. Bray then walked Willie Harris to load the bases, and pinch hitter Michael Morse hit a triple. Then Ian Desmond hit a double to drivein Morse before Adam Dunn flew out to end the inning. Reds win, 8-7.
Other Notes
- The only Red with multiple hits was Corky Miller.
- Mike Leake is now 7-1, the first Reds rookie to have such a record since Wayne Simpson in 1970.
- Even after scoring their sixth run in the sixth inning to come within one run and a runner on second, the Nationals still only had a 31.8% win expectancy.
- Francisco Cordero earned his 26th save of the season. He's tied for most saves in the majors with Brian Wilson and Heath Bell. It was his 99th save as a Red.
- Jay Bruce broke an 0-16 slump and got his first RBI since June 30.