Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Jay Bruce. Bruce had the game-winning double in the bottom of the ninth. It's not quite as dramatic as one of his other walk-off hits against the Astros, but with the Reds struggling, this game to bring the team back up to .500 seemed almost must-win in proportion. Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. The middle of the order took care of business just like they're supposed to.
Key Plays
- Travis Wood pitched a good game, only really getting touched up in the third inning. J.R. Towles led off that inning with a double, and Aneury Rodriguez sacrificed him to third. Michael Bourn walked, putting runners on the corners, and Jason Bourgeois singled. Towles scored, and then Hunter Pence singled to bring in Bourn. Brett Wallace, who's thick as a Williams sister, then grounded into a double play. Astros lead, 2-0.
- Aneury Rodriguez pitched a great game himself, twirling one of those gems that makes us double check that the Reds do indeed have a good offense. He allowed only one hit and one walk through five innings, and four Houston relievers shut down the Reds for the next three innings.
- Brandon Lyon undid all of that in the ninth inning. He walked Drew Stubbs, the leadoff hitter, and was immediately scared because walks will haunt. Boy, will they. Lyon threw a wild pitch and Stubbs moved to second, and then Chris Heisey got a hit. With runners on the corners, Joey Votto kept his streak of reaching base alive with a single that drove in Stubbs and kept the Reds hopes alive. Brandon Phillips hit a single of his own to bring in Heisey and tie the game, and then Jay Bruce doubled into the right field corner. Joey Votto scored and the comeback was complete! Reds win, 3-2.
Other Notes
- Going into this game, the Reds were 14-15, the first time they'd been under .500 since May 7 of last season, with an identical 14-15 record.