Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Scott Rolen. The former Blooj hit a home run to account for half of the Reds scoring. Honorable mentions go to Drew Stubbs (also homered [inside the park!], but struck out three times) and Jonny Gomes (only Red with multiple hits).
Key Plays
- Mike Leake and the improbably named Jo-Jo Reyes each twirled impressive games. In the sixth inning, Drew Stubbs hit a ball to center field and motored around the bases when neither Jose Bautista nor Corey Patterson caught it for an inside the park home run. Reds lead, 1-0.
- Leake was impressive for six innings, but got touched up in the seventh. He hit Corey Patterson with a pitch (hey, we've all wanted to). Patterson stole second, then scored on Jose Bautista's double. Adam Lind then sent a ball over the centerfield fence. It was his 15th homer of the year. What is up with these Blue Jays? Blue Jays lead, 3-1.
- Scott Rolen hit a one out home run in the bottom of the seventh. Jonny Gomes and Ryan Hanigan hit back to back singles, ending Reyes's night. Octavio Dotel retired Paul Janish and pinch hitter Chris Heisey though, snuffing out the threat. Blue Jays win, 3-2.
Other Notes
- Adam Lind has six home runs in his last ten games, and has homered in four straight. The last Blue Jay to homer in four straight games? Edwin Encarnacion.
- Brandon Phillips nailed John McDonald at the plate, helping to prevent the Blue Jays from scoring at least five runs against the Reds, the first time that has happened.
- Rolen's home run was his first since Apr. 7. He'd been hitting the ball hard and well lately, so it's not unexpected, but damn that's a long drought.
- Stubbs's homer was the first inside the park job hit by a Red at Great American.
- The Reds remain winless in interleague play this season.