Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Joey Votto. He's good again! So at least there's that. Votto went 2-5 with a double and a home run for his third game in a row. He also scored twice and drove in two runs. Honorable mentions go to Miguel Cairo (pinch hit three run home run) and Sam LeCure. SamWow is suddenly one of the most reliable bullpen arms, and he proved it again today by throwing two scoreless innings after Homer Bailey got knocked around like a Vin Diesel movie protagonist.
Key Plays
- This season, it's really only noteworthy when the Reds don't allow a run in the first inning. That was not the case in this game. Mets lead, 1-0.
- But the Reds jumped back on Chris Capuano in the bottom of the first. Drew Stubbs walked, and scored one out later when Joey Votto doubled. Then Brandon Phillips doubled after him, and things were looking up. Reds lead, 2-0.
- Homer Bailey let the first three Mets reach in the fourth, walking Daniel Murphy, giving up a single to David Wright, and a bunt single by Angel Pagan loaded the bases. Jason Bay struck out, but Lucas Duda doubled, and all three baserunners scored. Josh Thole then singled, and Duda scored as well. Mets lead, 5-2.
- With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Todd Frazier doubled, and Homer Bailey lined a single to drive him in. He was able to keep the Reds within striking distance with his bat, but would he be able to do it with his arm? Mets lead, 5-3.
- Remember that thing about the first three batters reaching for the Mets in the fourth? It was doubly as bad in the fifth. Reds trade bait Justin Turner singled, Daniel Murphy walked, and David Wright singled, loading the bases again. Angel Pagan singled, but it only drove in Turner. Jason Bay then came up to bat with the bases loaded again, but instead of striking out, he doubled and cleared the bases. Sam LeCure came in to pitch, and walked Lucas Duda, the sixth straight Met to reach base. But then he retired the rest. Mets lead, 9-3.
- The furious comeback began in the sixth inning. Jay Bruce singled with one out, and then Ramon Hernandez doubled (making up for when he had struck out with runners on second and third in the first inning). Capuano walked Todd Frazier, then the Mets brought in Manny Acosta to face pinch hitter Miguel Cairo. Sorry, I meant to say Miguel "Home Run" Cairo, because he hits home runs now. And he did! He hit a home run! Mets lead, 9-7.
- Pedro Beato (tee hee!) pitched the seventh inning for the Mets, but back to back doubles by Chris Heisey and Jay Bruce brought the Reds back to within one. Mets lead, 9-8.
- Logan Ondrusek is now terrible. Please adjust your bullpen opinions accordingly. He gave up a one out single to Angel Pagan, who then stole second, and walked Jason Bay. Somehow Lucas Duda made an out, and the wild Ondrusek walked Josh Thole. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Willie Harris stepped in for a dramatic showdown, but Ondrusek disappointingly and anticlimactically threw a wild pitch. Pagan scored. Mets lead, 10-8.
- Naturally, Joey Votto, the first batter new pitcher Jason Isringhausen faced, hit a home run. And then everyone else made outs. Mets win, 10-9.
Other Notes
- The Reds got swept in a four game series at home for the first time since 2008. They're also five games below .500 for the first time since 2009.
- The Reds hit eight doubles.