Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Travis Wood. The lefthander pitched a gem, going 7 innings and striking out 7. He didn't walk a batter, and his only blemish was a solo home run that he gave up to Erick Almonte. Honorable mentions go to Drew Stubbs and Jonny Gomes. He might not have a hit yet this season, but the man can draw a walk.
Key Plays
- There were questions about Drew Stubbs's ability to be a leadoff hitter for this team, but he got off to a great start in the first inning. After drawing a walk, he used his prodigious speed to steal second base, getting into scoring position for Brandon Phillips. But then he got greedy and tried to steal third base, and Wil Nieves threw him out. Phillips then turned around and barreled over Nieves for old times sake. Joey Votto came to the plate in the familiar position of having the bases empty with two outs. He singled, because he's good at hitting, and then Scott Rolen reminded us all of his early season heroics with a home run. Reds lead, 2-0.
- Ryan Hanigan singled to start the second inning, and Star of the Game Travis Wood bunted him to second. Drew Stubbs then tripled to bring him in. Brandon Phillips struck out, and Joey Votto grounded a ball to Rickie Weeks. Prince Fielder couldn't handle the throw from Weeks, and Stubbs scored as Votto was safe. Reds lead, 4-0.
- In the fourth inning, a couple of Brewers finally reached base, but it came to naught.
- Because nobody's perfect, Erick Almonte homered to lead off the fifth inning. Reds lead, 4-1.
- The Reds offense felt it had done enough, and refused to score any more runs. That led to the ninth inning, and Francisco Cordero's 2011 debut. The shaky reliever showed that we can expect more of the same this season. Carlos Gomez singled to start the inning, meaning the lead runner was on board. Ryan Braun then smashed a ball to shortstop, and Edgar Renteria made a very nice play to nail Gomez at second. Phillips was able to nearly double up Braun, but just missed. Instead, Braun went to second on a grounder by Prince Fielder, and scored when Casey McGehee singled to center. Coco struck out Erick Almonte to end the threat. Reds win, 4-2.
Other Notes
- Jay Bruce made a great leaping catch in the seventh inning, going up against the wall in foul territory to retire Casey McGehee.
- Marcum walked five, tying a career high.
- Erick Almonte hit his second major league home run -- eight years to the day after his first.
- Real fans go to Game 2, and there were 37,967 real fans. That's just great to see. The Opening Night push the front office has made has really been a success, and if folks decide this team is legit (it is) and keep coming out to support it, Cincinnati can be one of the great baseball atmospheres in the country.
- The Reds are 2-0 for the first time since 2005.