Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Ryan Hanigan. Everyone had a great game today, but Hanigan gets special recognition. He went 4-4 with a walk, two home runs, and four RBI. I would put our catching tandem up against any other team's. And with blue chip prospects like Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal on the way, the Cincinnati catching position looks mighty fine. Honorable mentions go to Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips, and Jonny Gomes.
Key Plays
- With Bronson Arroyo pitching in a day game and battling mono to boot, there were questions about how effective he would be. When Rickie Weeks homered to leadoff the game, it seemed like a bad sign. But Bronson settled down and got through the inning comfortably. Brewers lead, 1-0.
- In the second inning, Jonny Gomes finally got his first hit of the year, and it was a doozie. The guy who routinely destroys lefties hit a one out home run to tie the game. Jay Bruce followed that with a single, and stole second. Ryan Hanigan hit a soft grounder to third, but Casey McGehee couldn't make the throw in time and there were runners on the corners. Paul Janish, off to a surprisingly hot start, singled and Jay scored a birthday run. Bronson sacrificed the runners over, and Drew Stubbs walked to load the bases, but Brandon Phillips struck out to end the inning. As it turned out, the Reds wouldn't need the runs he left on the bases. Reds lead, 2-1.
- Arroyo got one out in the third inning, but then gave up back to back doubles to the pitcher Randy Wolf and the slugging second baseman Rickie Weeks. Game tied, 2-2.
- Using some hustle, the Reds had a big inning in the fourth. Jay Bruce struck out, but Ryan Hanigan walked, and Paul Janish hit a double to put runners at second and third. Arroyo also struck out, and with two away, Drew Stubbs hit a slow roller to third base. With the lightning quick Stubbs flying down the first baseline, Casey McGehee tried to go home to get Hanigan with the tag. But Hanigan had taken off on contact and scored. Brandon Phillips then attoned for leaving the bases chucked by blasting a three run homer. That was followed by a Joey Votto single and a ground rule double by Scott Rolen before Jonny Gomes struck out to end the inning. Still, the Reds batted around and scored four runs. Reds lead, 6-2.
- That was the end of Randy Wolf's day, but Brandon Kintzler didn't fare any better for the Brewers. Ryan Hanigan hit a home run, and even Bronson Arroyo doubled. Reds lead, 7-2.
- Home runs by Ryans were the order of the day, and Milwaukee responded with their own as Ryan Braun hit a dinger in the sixth. Reds lead, 7-3.
- The Reds would put the game out of reach in the bottom half of the inning however. Brandon Phillips led off with a single, and Joey Votto reached on Yuniesky Betancourt's fielding error. Kintzler then balked, moving both runners up a base, which was enough to allow Phillips to score on Scott Rolen's fly to center. Jonny Gomes had his hustling shoes on as he beat out a ground ball to second for a single, then stole second base. Jay Bruce popped out, but Ryan Hanigan hit a two out, three run home run, his second round-tripper of the day, this time off of Mitch Stetter. Reds lead, 11-3.
- As the bench players entered the game, the offensive production continued. Chris Heisey hit a one out single and advanced to second on Brandon Phillips's grounder. Joey Votto walked, and then pinch hitter Miguel Cairo hit a single that brought Heisey around to score. Reds win, 12-3.
Other Notes
- The Reds had eight two out RBI. The Brewers played pretty sloppy defense throughout the series, and their inability to snuff out Reds rallies before they started cost them.
- The Reds had 19 hits. Every player who came to bat had at least one hit.
- Every year in which the Reds have won the World Series, they've started out 3-0 (hat tip to Slyde). So far, only three other teams in baseball (Phillies, Rangers, and Orioles) are 3-0.
- Ryan Hanigan leads the team in home runs.
- Reds catchers are batting .750, with an OBP of .769. They have an OPS of 2.269.
- The Reds are 18-3 in their last 21 games against the Brewers.
- The series featured 14 home runs by 11 different players. 10 of them were solo efforts.
- Aroldis Chapman made his season debut and hit 103 mph on the gun.