Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Joey Votto. The Say Eh Kid went 2-4 with a home run and a walk, scoring twice and driving in three runs. His patient, professional at-bat with bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning was the stuff that backyard dreams are made of. Honorable mentions go to Bronson Arroyo, Francisco Cordero, and Brandon Phillips, even though he made two outs on the basepaths.
Key Plays
- Dodger fans were confident with Clayton Kershaw on the mound, but the Reds got to him early. Brandon Phillips singled to lead off the game, and after Miguel Cairo struck out, Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes walked to load the bases. Chris Heisey struck out, but Ryan Hanigan singled to drive in Phillips and Votto. Reds lead, 2-0.
- Matt Kemp homered off of Bronson Arroyo to lead off the second inning. Every day, I grow closer and closer to becoming the last Jonny Gomes fan on this site, but it's still my firm belief that Walt Jocketty should be doing everything in his power to get Matt Kemp to play LF for Cincinnati. Reds lead, 2-1.
- Bronson Arroyo surrendered three straight singles to Casey Blake, Jamey Carroll, and A.J. Ellis with one out in the fifth inning. Blake scored on Ellis's single, and the game was tied, 2-2.
- The tie didn't last long, though. Joey Votto homered to lead off the sixth inning. Reds lead, 3-2.
- Jonathan Broxton had lost his closing role last week, but was back in the ninth inning today. He didn't help his case. He walked Paul Janish with one out, and Jay Bruce singled. Brandon Phillips reached on an infield hit to shortstop to load the bases. Pinch hitter Scott Rolen struck out on a foul tip, but then up stepped Joey Votto. With two outs and the bases loaded, needing some breathing room to assure a series win and a winning west coast road trip, Votto saw nine pitches before singling on the tenth to drive in Janish and Bruce, paving the way for Francisco Cordero to set down the Dodgers in order and preserve the win. Reds win, 5-2.
Other Notes
- Bronson Arroyo earned his 100th career win today. 67 of them have come in Cincinnati. Since coming over in 2006, he has won at least 14 games every season except 2007. People may scoff, but he's been a great pitcher for us.
- Clayton Kershaw struggles in the early going. In 26 starts this season, he has yet to put the opponents down in order.
- Francisco Cordero has saved at least 34 games in each of his three years on the team.
- The Reds have clinched a winning west coast road trip.