:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11714631/166833677.0.jpg)
The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Star(s) of the Game(s)
Bailey and Leake get the nods here, as well they should despite what the offense provided in the second game of the day. The two combined to throw 15 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just 5 hits and not a single walk while compiling 17 combined strikeouts. That's the "back" end of the rotation, folks, and if they can even approach a level of consistent production a layer below these two performances, that will go awfully far to help mitigate the absence of Johnny Cueto. Big ups, pitchermen.
Honorable mentions are due to every Red who swung a bat today, as the Reds busted out of the mini-slump that hampered them last night as well as during baby's time under the basket. Zack "MVP/GG" Cozart re-emerged with the hit (and run) that started the 9th inning rally to end game 1, and he followed that up with another near 2 HR game. Todd Frazier hit a HR, Derrick Robinson got his first MLB RBI, Brandon Phillips had more hits and RsBI, Jay Bruce unclutched a clutch hit, AC Slider nailed an on-air radio interview and landed us a recurring spot, Devin Mesoraco doubled twice, Aroldis Chapman was untouchable, Leake had a triple and three hits...and you get the point.
Justin Freeman? Well, you made it to the big leagues, at least. Thanks for stopping by, but it's officially Cingrani time. Someone check and see if UncleWeez is still breathing.
Game 1 - Key Plays
- This one's easy. Homer Bailey cruised through this one, fanning 10 and allowing just two singles through his 8 IP, and Chapman shut down the Phillies in his half of the 9th. Rain held the inevitable until today, when Cozart led off with a single, Votto walked, BP reached when Ben Revere couldn't see/catch his bloop liner, and Jay Bruce hit the game winning single on the first pitch to score Cozart. Reds win, 1-0!
<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-04-16&team=Reds&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-04-16&team=Reds&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span>
Game 2- Key Plays
- Well, if Game 1 was Tony Randall, Game 2 was Jack Klugman, as the bats clubbed John Lannan early and often. A BP single plated Cozart in the 1st to get things started, but it was in the 2nd when the Reds really took off. Frazier's hunk thrust led it off, Leake tripled, Robinson singled to RF, Votto was hit by a pitch, BP walked, and Bruce singled...and when all was said and done, Lannan was out and the Reds held a 6-0 lead. A future Mesoraco double, Phillips single, and Cozart 2-run boomstick got the Reds to 11 runs, and that was all they would need and then some. Reds win, 11-2!
<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-04-17&team=Reds&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-04-17&team=Reds&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span>
Other Notes
- Just like that, the Reds are back to 8-7, above .500. There's that one guy who's not a bandwagon fan who said 3 days ago he'd be back if the Reds ever got back above .500, so I'm sure we'll see him back here pronto since, y'know, he's not a bandwagon fan. At all.
- Jay Bruce is a man of many nicknames. Jay-Hova, The Future, Bruiser, Jay-Bird, Bruce Almighty, The Boss, and The Natural have at one point or another been dropped as reference to our RF. One nickname that is not Bruce's? Mr. Fail. That can go get the hell out of here.
- My lyrical technique will make your body freak. My lyrical technique will make your body tweak.
- Thanks to the internet, as always, for providing fake Gucci Mane court quotes to make our lives as bloggers easier.
- Finally, if and when you do decide to make your way down to GABP for a Reds game this year, do me, us, and yourself a favor: don't get a Bud-Light-A-Rita. You can't help me if you can't help yo-self.