Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Joey Votto. The Man Who Would Be MVP Candidate at least had a solid night, going 2-3 with a double and reaching base a third time with a walk. Everyone else pretty much sucked. Honorable Mentions go to Dave Sappelt (pinch hit single) and Brandon Phillips (who got another hit out of the leadoff spot).
Key Plays
- This was a painfully obvious mismatch between one of the game's best pitchers and one of the season's worst. Bronson Arroyo did manage to hold the Phillies scoreless their first time through the lineup and look pretty good doing it, but they caught up to him in a big way the second time around. Chase Utley drew a one out walk in the fourth inning, and then Ryan Howard hit a home run to right. Phillies lead 2-0.
- The third time through the lineup was even worse. Hunter Pence hit a one out home run to center in the sixth inning, then Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz followed with back to back singles to right. Wilson Valdez hit a ball to third, but Miguel Cairo couldn't field it cleanly. You can't assume the double play, but one of those would have been nice to end the inning. Instead, the bases were loaded with one out. But at least the pitcher was coming up. And naturally, Roy Halladay hit a bases clearing double. That was it for Arroyo, and Logan Ondrusek came in to close out the inning. Phillies lead, 6-0.
- Ondrusek did give up a single to Hunter Pence and a home run to Raul Ibanez in the seventh, though. Phillies lead, 8-0.
- The Reds loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, on the strength of a Joey Votto double, Jay Bruce getting hit by a pitch, and a Drew Stubbs walk, but pinch hitter Todd Frazier struck out, and Ryan Hanigan grounded into a force out.
- And because if you've already given up three homers, why not four? Ryan Howard hit his second dinger of the game off of Sam LeCure in the ninth. Phillies win, 9-0.
Other Notes
- Bronson Arroyo has surrendered 36 home runs, the most ever by a Cincinnati righthander. He's four away from catching Eric Milton for the all-time team lead.
- Roy Halladay struck out nine in the game, and at one point retired 17 batters in a row.
- Brandon Phillips extended his hit streak to 13 games.
- Halladay's RBI were his first this season, and gave him nine for his career. Seven of those have come in bases loaded opportunities. The guy is clutch!
- Paul Janish flew out in his pinch hit appearance. He's 0 for his last 23.