Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Miguel Cairo. This was a tough award to assign. I didn't see the game, and my only criteria was to not give it to Strasburg. It sounded like maybe Cairo wasn't that sharp with his glove, but he never made an out at the plate, going 2-2 with 2 walks and 2 RBI. Honorable mentions go to Stephen Strasburg, Ian Desmond, Cristian Guzman, and Jay Bruce.
Key Plays
- Brandon Phillips got the Reds first hit off Stephen Strasburg, a two out triple in the third. Fortunately, Orlando Cabrera immediately got the second hit off Strasburg, a single to bring in Phillips. Reds lead, 1-0.
- Bronson Arroyo couldn't hold the lead though. He walked Adam Dunn to begin the fourth inning, then gave up a double to Ryan Zimmerman. Roger Bernadina hit a sacrifice fly as the Donkey tied things up. Game tied, 1-1.
- In the bottom of the fourth, Jay Bruce and Miguel Cairo singled with two outs, and ended up on second and third on Bernadina's throw. Drew Stubbs flied out to Bernadina, and Bruce decided to test his arm again, only this time the throw nailed him at the plate. Now Bruce knows what it feels like when the rest of the league tries to run on him.
- In the fifth inning, Arroyo hit Ian Desmond with a pitch, and two outs later, Cristian Guzman hit a rare home run. Nationals lead, 3-1.
- The wheels fell off for Arroyo in the sixth. Ryan Zimmerman doubled and Josh Willingham walked before Roger Bernadina's single loaded the bases. One out later, Ian Desmond singled to score the two lead runners, and Stephen Strasburg sacrificed Bernadina and Desmond into scoring position. Bill Bray came in to relieve Arroyo, but his bad run of form continued as he immdediately gave up a two out, two run single to Nyjer Morgan. Nationals lead, 7-1.
- The Reds finally cracked Strasburg in the sixth, too. Joey Votto singled with one out, and Jay Bruce did the same with two outs. They both advanced a base on a wild pitch, and both scored when Miguel Cairo hit a single to chase Strasburg from the game. Nationals lead, 7-3.
- Seeming poised for a late comeback, the Reds loaded the bases in the seventh with singles from Ryan Hanigan and pinch hitter Laynce Nix, and a walk to Brandon Phillips. With no outs, Orlando Cabrera struck out, Joey Votto grounded out (which did score Hanigan), and Jonny Gomes struck out. Only one run out of that perfect set up. Nationals lead, 7-4.
- The Reds got some more baserunners in the eighth, but nothing approaching a serious threat. Miguel Cairo got a one out walk, but was erased on a fielder's choice by Drew Stubbs. Ryan Hanigan also walked, and pinch hitter Chris Heisey singled off reliever Matt Capps to drive in Stubbs, but Brandon Phillips ended the inning by hitting into a fielder's choice. Nationals lead, 7-5.
- In the ninth inning, Willie Harris homered off of Arthur Rhodes. That sentence is as good as any at summing up how the night went for the Reds. Nationals win, 8-5.
Other Notes
- Stephen Strasburg struck out seven Reds, including Jonny Gomes and Bronson Arroyo twice each. The Reds had 12 strikeouts in the game.
- A crowd of 37,878 turned out to see the game, one of the best week night crowds without a promotion the Reds have had in years.