Edinson Volquez had to take 'em to that Ghetto University. Reds win, 8-2.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Edinson Volquez.  The stint in Louisville seemed to work, at least for today.  Volquez came out and did what Mike Leake did yesterday: deliver a sometimes messy quality start and pitched deep into the game.  He threw seven innings, scattered seven hits, and only allowed one run.  Honorable mentions go to Miguel Cairo (a grand slam) and Drew Stubbs (2-4 with a double and an RBI).

Key Plays

• Edinson Volquez defied all expectations by getting through the first inning without allowing a run.  However, in the second inning Aramis Ramirez and Blake DeWitt hit back to back doubles.  Ramirez scored, but the Cubs conspired to strand DeWitt.  Cubs lead, 1-0.
• Paul Janish singled off of Doug Davis to start the third inning for the Reds.  Edinson Volquez bunted him to second, and Drew Stubbs hit a double to bring him in.  Game tied, 1-1.
• In the fourth inning, it was Jay Bruce's turn to lead off the inning with a single.  With one out, Miguel Cairo singled and Bruce went to third, where Ramon Hernandez's sacrifice fly was enough to score him.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Doug Davis is not a good pitcher, and the Cubs are not a good team.  They showed that in the fifth inning when Volquez and Stubbs singled to start things off, and Brandon Phillips walked to load the bases.  Up to the plate strode Joey Votto, and Davis decided just to walk him, figuring that one run was mitigating the damage.  So Jay Bruce faced a bases loaded, no outs situation... and struck out.  Jonny Gomes hit a fly ball off of reliever Rodrigo Lopez that was deep enough to score Stubbs.  Miguel Cairo grounded out, ending the inning.  Getting two runs in an inning is never a bad thing, but the expectation for more is always there when Votto and Bruce face a bases loaded, no outs situation.  Cairo, for his part, made up for it later.  Reds lead, 4-1.
• John Grabow pitched the seventh inning, and by the time he was finished, he considerd renaming himself John Grabankles.  Brandon Phillips led off with a double, and Joey Votto's single put runners on the corners.  Jay Bruce walked and the bases were loaded with no outs for Jonny Gomes... who struck out.  But Miguel Cairo belted a grand slam!  Reds lead, 8-1.
• Since it was a certified laffer, Jeremy Horst pitched the ninth inning for the Reds.  Blake DeWitt doubled and scored on pinch hitter Lou Montanez's single.  Reds win, 8-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Volquez's scoreless first inning was the fourth one he's thrown this season.  That's more than you were expecting, wasn't it?
• Despite ten hits and two walks, no Cub reached second base after the second inning.
• Volquez cut off his dreadlocks.  Your move, Kyle Beckerman.