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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star(s) of the Game(s)
The matinee portion of the doubleheader saw Johnny Cueto take the mound and, as he normally does in day games, dominate. Cueto threw 8 innings of 3 hit, 2 run ball, walking none and striking out 8. Todd Frazier helped out with his 17th Sinatra in a 2 for 3 game. To his credit, Xavier Paul helped out with his first HR as a Red...AND MIGUEL CAIRO HIT HIS FIRST HOMER OF THE SEASON!
The second game was a disappointment from the pitching side, but the bats did their best to help mitigate a potential loss to the Cubs. Ryan Ludwick was Studwick, again, tonight, hitting his 24th and 25th Studdies while driving in 3 runs...AND MIGUEL CAIRO HIT HIS SECOND TRIPLE OF THE SEASON!
The supergrover Memorial Honorary Red Reporter(s) of the Gamethread(s)
A solid turnout today by you, we, our RR compadres. angeeh, sexsalad, CommiePuddin, and Cy Schourek were around throughout both games, and even the venerable Charlie Scrabbles made a gamethread cameo late in game 2. Today's honoree, however, is the finest muffins, a valued member of the RR community for quite sometime now. Thanks for kickin' it with us today, TFM.
Key Plays - Game 1
The first game got off to a rather inauspicious start, as Johnny Cueto allowed a first inning, two-run HR to Alfonso Soriano. Cueto entered today's game with a 1.55 ERA in day games, and this was certain a shock to the system. No matter, however, as the Reds picked him up. Todd Frazier started the 2nd with a single, and Paul followed with a Stu Barnes to
Key Plays - Game 2
Todd Redmond got the start for this one, called up as the 26th roster addition due to the doubleheader. Needless to say, Todd's start didn't go very well.
Credit is due to the Reds, however, as they faced a large deficit after a very long day and still battled to the end. An RBI single by Frazier and an RBI double by Scott Rolen in the 6th began the comeback, putting the Reds within striking distance at 8-4, and a Studdy-honk in the 7th put it at 8-6. Jay Bruce singled in the 8th and later scored after a triple by the resurgent (!!) Miguel Cairo to make it 8-7. Logan Ondrusek, unfortunately, continued his late-season struggles, allowing a solo HR to DeJesus, and the Reds couldn't strike back again, losing 9-7.
Fangraphs game-charts after the jump.
Game 1:
Game 2:
Other Notes
· The Reds and the Cubs scored the same amount of runs over both games, and though the Reds managed to split, it still feels like a loss. That said, as one of our faithful RR's noted, the Reds picked up half a game in the standings and reduced their magic number by 2. Not bad for a Saturday.
· Watch this and try not to crap your pants. If you've finished unscathed and thought it was rad, I suggest you track down this.
· Mat Latos will take the hill vs. the Cubs tomorrow at 1:10 ET as the Reds look to win the series. It's the Cubs, man. We've got to win.
· Tunes time, folks. This one will get ya up and dancing, and this one will blow you away. (P.S. I was in the audience for the second one!)