I thought the Reds had been worse historically in DC, as I've never seen them win there in the 4 games I've attended at Nationals Park. They were swept in 2008, but won the last two series in '09 and '10. It might be more accurate to say that Reds games played in our nation's capital have a tendency to be frustrating and kind of weird. Like that one in June 2009 that put the Reds 1.5 GB of first place. Aaron Harang pitched 7.2 shutout innings, but got harang(ued) out of a win when Cordero blew the save. That sent it to extras: 2011 Nationals Gomes and Hairston batted in two runs in the top of the 12th to pin the loss on Ron Villone, of all people.
Last night had everything a 2011 fan could dream of: bad starting pitching, a crooked number in the first inning, some bad luck and a close loss. But tonight you get the antidote: Johnny Cueto. By my count, Cueto needs to pitch at least 3 innings to stay in the hunt for the ERA crown.
LINEUP:
Phillips 2B
Sappelt LF
Votto 1B
Bruce RF
Cairo 3B
Stubbs CF
Hernandez C
Janish SS
Cueto RHP