Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Drew Stubbs. The embattled centerfielder rediscovered his love affair with Wrigley Field and went 3-4 with 2 runs, 2 RBI, a double and a home run. He didn't even strike out! Honorable mentions go to Ramon Hernandez and Starlin Castro. Nick Masset did a good job to nail down the victory, but he did walk a batter with the bases loaded.
Key Plays
- Drew Stubbs got the Reds first hit off Randy Wells, a double to lead off the third inning. Ramon Hernandez then singled to center, which was enough to allow the speedy Stubbs to score. Reds lead, 1-0.
- Kosuke Fukudome matched Stubbs with a double of his own in the third. Starlin Castro singled off of Edinson Volquez and moved Fukudome to third, and Derrek Lee hit a sacrifice fly to bring him in. Game tied, 1-1.
- Offensive futility was the theme of the game. It wasn't until the eighth inning that Drew Stubbs homered off of Wells to give the Reds the lead again. Hernandez followed with an infield single, and Chris Heisey walked. Bronson Arroyo pinch ran for Hernandez and made it to third as Brandon Phillips grounded into a double play. Paul Janish came through with a single though and Arroyo trotted home. Reds lead, 3-1.
- Carlos Marmol pitched the ninth for the Cubs and struck out Scott Rolen. But then Laynce Nix hit a high pop fly that Blake DeWitt dropped. Nix had been running hard and so ended up on second base. Pinch hitter Juan Francisco popped out, but the suddenly strong Drew Stubbs hit a single off of Lady Marmol-ade and gave the Reds a seemingly extra cushion run. Reds lead, 4-1.
- Francisco Cordero came in to close out matters, but oh my, did he do the opposite. Coco walked Blake DeWitt on four pitches before striking out Koyie Hill on three pitches. He then walked pinch hitter Mike Fontenot, and walked Kosuke Fukudome. Bases loaded, all on walks, and Starlin Castro came to the plate representing the winning run. Coco seemed to get tough, jumping out to an 0-2 count, but after Castro fouled off a few pitches, Cordero ran a pitch too far in and hit him, forcing in a run. Nick Masset was then summoned from the bullpen and struck out Derrek Lee. However, he then walked Aramis Ramirez, cutting the lead to one run with the bases still loaded and All-Star Marlon Byrd at the plate. STRIKE THREE! Masset rang him up to end the game, and Reds fans everywhere passed out from blessed relief. Reds win, 4-3.
Other Notes
- Drew Stubbs had three hits after being 1 for his previous 37. He is batting .318 against the Cubs this year, with five of his 14 homers coming against Chicago. Prior to this game, Stubbs sported a .976 OPS at Wrigley Field, the best mark by far of any stadium he's played in.
- Edinson Volquez allowed six hits but only one run. The bullpen allowed no hits, but gave up two runs.
- Reds pitchers combined to issue nine walks and one hit batter.
- Stubbs has 14 home runs, which is tied for third most on the team with Brandon Phillips.
- The Reds are hotter than Gemma Arterton when it comes to winning series. Since the All-Star break, they are 6-0-1, and in the last thirteen series (including the current one) they have a record of 10-1-1.