Jesus, how am I supposed to follow crolfer? I'm not even drunk.
Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Edgar Renteria. Pressed into service after Zack Cozart's unfortunate injury, the aged shortstop turned in a fine afternoon. He went 2-4 with a double, two runs scored and another three driven in. Well done, Edgar! Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips (3-5, two doubles and two RBI) and Homer Bailey and His Boisterous Bullpen, for a fine game pitched.
Key Plays
- In a stunning reversal of type, the Reds scored first. In the first inning, Drew Stubbs walked and stole second base just like a leadoff hitter! Zack Cozart then bunted him to third, where he scored on Joey Votto's groundout. Classic smallball, worked to perfection. Reds lead, 1-0.
- Homer Bailey ran into a rough second inning. Dan Uggla singled to start things off, and Bailey walked Eric Hinske. Alex Gonzalez, as he often did at Great American Ball Park, popped out, but Nate McLouth of the Clan McLouth hit a single that loaded the bases. Then Derek Lowe, the pitcher of all people, hit a double that scored Uggla and Hinske. Bailey then walked Martin Prado - "The Interruption" - to load the bases once more. If he couldn't get out the pitcher, what chance did he have against Jason Heyward? A good one, it turns out. Heyward J'Blowme popped out and Brian McCann Brian McCouldn't either, flying out to Drew Stubbs. Braves lead, 2-1.
- The Reds grounded into two double plays in the buildup to the sixth inning, when they finally broke through. Dizzy Jay Bruce (brother of Daffy Jay Bruce) pinch hit for Homer Bailey and smacked a double. "Aim for the one in the middle," they always say, and I guess it's true. Mike Leake pinch ran for Bruce, and ran to third as Drew Stubbs bunted safely, putting runners on the corners. Substitute Edgar Renteria also doubled, and Leake and Stubbs both scored, putting Bailey in line for the win. Joey Votto singled, putting Renteria on third and Brandon Phillips doubled, putting Renteria on home base and Votto on third and Derek Lowe in the dugout. George Sherrill came in with two runners in scoring position and no outs, but induced a harmless grounder from Fred Lewis. Then Scott Proctor came in, and struck out Jonny Gomes and got Todd Frazier to ground out. Reds lead, 4-2.
- Proctor was not nearly so effective in the seventh inning, however. Ryan Hanigan started the inning with a double, and Chris Heisey followed with a run-scoring single. Heisey went to second on the throw, so Drew Stubbs bunted once again. This time it was a sacrifice, and Heisey stood on third with one out. Not for long though, because Edgar Renteria singled him in. Proctor walked Joey Votto and then walked to the dugout. His replacement, Christhian Martinez, was no better. Brandon Phillips doubled, and Renteria scored, with Votto moving to third. Martinez intentionally loaded the bases by walking Fred Lewis. He then unintentionally walked pinch hitter Miguel Cairo, forcing in Votto. Todd Frazier then got his first big league RBIs, hitting a bases loaded double that drove in all three runners. Reds win, 11-2.
Other Notes
- The seven runs in the seventh inning were the most runs scored in a single inning against the Braves all season.
- Zack Cozart hyperextended his left elbow making a tag in the fourth inning. Edgar Renteria also had an upset tummy, but Cozart's ouchie was worse, so Edgar had to play.
- For all the talk of attendance woes, the Reds sold out this game. The crowds were drawn, no doubt, by the Jonny Gomes bobbleheads that were given out. Still, Cincinnati now has 11 sellouts on the year, matching the most for a season at Great American.
- Derek Lowe's double was the eighth hit by a Braves pitcher this year. Only the Giants staff, with 9, has more.
- Showing some bench depth, the Reds had four players bat as pinch hitters or injury replacements, and each reached base, and each scored a run (well, Mike Leake scored because he pinch ran for Jay Bruce, who pinch hit for Homer Bailey).