The Barbarians Arrived Today / And They Get Bored With Eloquence And Orations: Reds Win 6-2

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star(s) of the Game

Brandon Phillips, Ryan Ludwick, Jay Bruce, and Todd Frazier all went 2-4 today. Cozart went 1-3 with a walk. Any of them would be equally deserving, as would Bronson with his 6 innings of two-run ball. I am going to arbitrarily give the trophy (actually a lock of my hair) to Jay Bruce for his steal and for generally stepping it up when he has needed to.

If you think that one of the other guys deserves the award, you can feel free to send them a lock of your hair to the address as follows:

Madville Del Rio

489 Mescaline Drive

THE GHETTO

Cinti, OH 12345

Key Plays

• The Reds started out hootin' and a hollerin' as Cozart, Le Beep du lac, and the Beaumont Bomber all singled. Rolen kept things moving with a sac fly. Bruce got infused with the spirit of Drew Stubbs (it's not like he's using it) stealing second and then hustling to third on a throwing error by the backstop. This was irrelevant, though, as Ludwick Mott'ed a Hoople. Reds up, 4-0.
• The game skipped by quickly as Arroyo and Gallardo shared goose eggs. In the fourth, Travis Ishikawa, who is a real person I did not make up, hit a double into the tarp on the first base line. Arroyo was able to strike out Braun and Ramirez before giving up a single to Corey Hart. Reds up 4-1.
• Ishikawa kept on proving that although there are no "i"s in team, there are two in Ishikawa. He doubled in the top of the sixth. Braun then hit an infield single that got Ishikawa to third. Ramirez hit into a well-turned double play, but Ishikawa still scored. Reds, 4-2.
• Scott Rolen hit a triple in the bottom of the inning. He didn't score, but this is certainly worth mentioning. Rolen got tagged out in a rundown after going home on soft contact. The Reds did stage a neat little two-out rally as Frazier singled and moved to second on a wild pitch and Hanigan IBB'ed, but pinch-hitter Xavier "Dogg of God" Paul grounded out after a long and tense at-bat.
• Since Paul replaced Arroyo after only 86 pitches by the lanky fella, the Reds brought in Arredondo. Jose pitched well, even though he got drilled by a line drive (the ball deflected right to Frazier, who then dove towards first base, only coming a few feet short. He got to the bag on second effort, like a fullback at the goal-line). After lots of coaching visits and a single, Sean Marshall game on to finish the inning.
• GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU WALK. ARE YOU LISTENING, COZY? Zackie walked and then was driven in by a two-run RF Beepinho Fernando'd to right. This was in the seventh inning. Reds up, 6-2.
• Livan Hernandez pitched the ninth for the Brewers. Things are desolate in that bullpen. The Reds were bored, though, so they didn't score off of him. Nobody scored on the Reds, either, so they won 6-2.

Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

• The Cards and Pirs both won big. The Nationals split their double-header. The Reds are playing better than all of these teams, even without Joey.
• Speaking of, Joey was in the dugout today. He told me to tell you that you were looking good, you shouldn't get down on yourself like that. Just take it easy, enjoy life, go out on some walks to try and get yourself together. He'll be here for you.
• Early game tomorrow, as some poor sacrificial lamb of a Brewer will face Johnny Cueto at 1pm ET. No word on Cueto's facial hair stylings.
• No song for today, but a poem instead. Waiting for the Barbarians is one of my all-time favorites. To be fair, I don't know many poems. But the Reds are playing like the fearsome evil we've hoped for; if they can put together a nice run without Joey Votto, I'll be very excited come September. Still need to make a trade though, Walter.
• If you weren't listening to the Brewers feed yesterday, Bob Uecker regaled us with the Bailey family history. Apparently his grandfather moved to Texas from Bedford Falls, NY. It's worth a listen.