Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Ramon Hernandez. Our studly catcher went 2-5 with a three run homer. Honorable mentions to Travis Wood, Jay Bruce, and Drew Stubbs.
Key Plays
- Even though the Reds scored nine runs, they only scored in two innings. The first time was in the fourth. With one out, Joe Saunders walked Scott Rolen, then Jonny Gomes hit a line drive single. Ramon Hernandez then took one deep, and Jay Bruce followed for back to back home runs. Reds lead, 4-0.
- Mark Reynolds homered in the fifth inning. It was his 27th of the year. He may strike out a ton, but he sure does hit home runs too. Reds lead, 4-1.
- In the eighth inning, the Reds faced D.J. Carrasco, and he got two quick outs. It should have been a 1-2-3 inning, but Rusty Ryal dropped Jay Bruce's fly ball out of his glove. Carrasco then walked Paul Janish, and pinch hitter Laynce Nix singled to drive in Bruce. Brandon Phillips walked to load the bases, and Drew Stubbs singled, plating Janish and Nix. Jordan Norberto came in to relieve Carrasco and promptly gave up a double to Joey Votto that scored Phillips and Stubbs. Five unearned runs for the Reds with two outs. Reds lead, 9-1.
- It was a good thing the Reds got all those insurance runs, because the relievers were none too sharp in the eighth. Bill Bray started it off by allowing a double to Augie Ojeda. Stephen Drew and Justin Upton singled, and Ojeda scored. After getting Kelly Johnson to pop up, Jordan Smith came in to relieve Bray and immediately surrendered a home run to Chris Young. Reds win, 9-5.
Other Notes
- The Reds hit back to back home runs for the seventh time this season.
- Today's unsung Reds hero is Laynce Nix. In his last ten games, Nix is batting .391 with 5 RBI and 5 runs scored. He's only had 28 plate appearances in that time, but he's making the most of his chances.
- The Reds are a season high 19 games over .500, on a season high six game winning streak, and are a season high 3.5 games ahead of the Cardinals.
- The Reds are 70-51. At this time last year, they were 51-70.
- The Reds' last four series have been sweeps, with the Reds winning three of them.
- The Reds still have four more games against the Diamondbacks before the season is over, all at home.