When we wake up tomorrow, the Reds will still be in first place. Reds lose, 3-0.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Johan Santana.  He threw a complete game shut out, giving up three hits and three walks, striking out five.  And he hit a home run.  That'll do, pig.  Honorable mentions go to Jason Bay and Logan Ondrusek.

Key Plays

• The Reds got probably their best chance in the first inning.  Brandon Phillips led off the game with a double, and Orlando Cabrera sacrificed him to third.  Is sacrifice bunting a good strategy in the first inning?  Well, it didn't work this time.  With a runner on third and one out, Joey Votto struck out and Scott Rolen popped out.
• Matt Maloney, just up from the farm to take the place of injured Aaron Harang, pitched very well, retiring the first seven batters he faced.  Ruben Tejada singled in the third, but was caught stealing.  Good thing too, because the next batter, Johan Santana, then hit the first home run of his career.  Mets lead, 1-0.
• The Reds had two runners on base in the sixth inning with two outs, on a single by Cabrera and a walk to Votto, but Scott Rolen lined out.
• In the bottom of the sixth, Jose Reyes reached on a bunt single.  Maloney dove and nearly caught the ball, but couldn't hang on to it.  Angel Pagan grounded out to advance Reyes and Maloney intentionally walked David Wright, his only walk of the evening.  Ike Davis then hit a grounder to first base.  Votto made an awkward throw to second that didn't get Wright, but Maloney was alertly backing up first base, and Orlando Cabrera's throw beat Davis.  Runners on second and third with two outs, and Dusty Baker elected to let Maloney face Jason Bay, even though Logan Ondrusek was ready in the bullpen.  Bay singled, scoring Reyes and Wright, and the game seemed out of reach.  Jeff Francouer singled and Maloney's night was over.  Ondrusek came in and promptly struck out Rod Barajas.  Mets lead, 3-0.
• The Reds put up a meager threat in the ninth inning.  After Joey Votto grounded out, Scott Rolen singled, and Jay Bruce reached on an error by Jason Bay.  But then Jonny Gomes hit a line drive that Ike Davis snagged, and Drew Stubbs grounded out to shortstop to end the game.  Votto, Bruce, Gomes, and Stubbs all swung at the first pitch they saw.  Mets win, 3-0.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• This was Santana's first shutout since 2008.
• Logan Ondrusek has retired the last 19 batters he's faced, 8 by strikeout.
• It's JD's birthday (remember him?).  Happy Birthday, JD!