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Windians? Not Today. Reds 4, Indians 2.

With the game on the line, the Indians pitched to Joey Votto. I'm neither funny enough or smart enough to possibly suggest a reason why.

By Wick Terrell
Replace "I ate the bones" with "They pitched to Votto" and suddenly that commercial is funny again.
Replace "I ate the bones" with "They pitched to Votto" and suddenly that commercial is funny again.
Joe Robbins

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

While Zack Cozart and Shin-Soo Choo combined for an excellent 1-2 punch today, Joey Votto and his tie-breaking 2-run 8th inning HR get the nod today. Nick Hagadone is a lefty, I know, and I can empathize to an extent with Terry Francona wanting to show his LHP that he's got confidence in him, but there's still barely a shred of intelligence behind pitching to Votto with 1 out and a runner on 3B. The Reds reaped the benefits, and Votto merely added to his lore.

Honorable mentions are due to Mike Leake (7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K), Cozart (2 for 2, BB, R, SAC, 2B), and Choo (2 for 4, HR, 2 R).

Key Plays

  • The Reds started the scoring immediately, as Choo hit an opposite field blast to lead off the Reds half of the 1st, his 10th of the season. Reds led, 1-0.
  • The Indians evened the score in the Top of the 4th, though, when Jason Kipnis singled, Nick Swisher bro'd his way to 1B when 2B Brandon Phillips uncharacteristically made an error (which moved Kipnis to 3B), and Carlos Santana followed with a sac fly to left. Game tied, 1-1.
  • Zack Cozart led off the Bottom half of the 6th with a double down the LF line, and after Terry Francona was finished arguing that it was foul (it wasn't), Votto advanced Cozart to 3B with a productive grounder, and Phillips followed with a sac fly to plate Cozy. Reds led, 2-1.
  • In the 8th, with Sam LeCure, Jonathan Broxton, and Aroldis Chapman rested after not participating in yesterday's bullpen meltdown, Mike Leake was sent out while having thrown about 90 pitches. He successfully retired former Red Drew Stubbs, and was left in to face PH Jason Giambi. Giambi promptly old-man'd a greybeard out to CF, Leake was pulled in favor of Broxton, and the game was tied. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
  • Joey Votto rendered the Top of the 8th irrelevant, fortunately, as he took matters into his own hands in the Bottom half of the frame. Choo led off with a double, and Cozart sacrificed him to 3B to set up the IBB to Votto that would set up a potential double play from GIBP. Right? Wrong. The Indians pitched to Votto, and he smashed one out to LF. Aroldis Chapman was brought in for the save in the 9th, and despite uncorking a few wild fastballs that irked the Indians, he locked things up for the good guys. Reds win, 4-2!

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-05-27&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=2013-05-27&team=Reds&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span>

Other Notes

  • The sellout today marked the 4th consecutive home game that sold out, the first time that's happened in, according to Marty, the history of the universe. Props to each and every one of you Reds fans that contributed to an overall fantastic weekend at GABP.
  • It's Memorial Day, and no post would be appropriate without an acknowledgment of the sacrifices and dedication shown by the men and women who have served our country so bravely. Keep that in mind while enjoying your burgers and dogs this fine afternoon. Many, many thanks.
  • It's cookout time! Time for cookout tunes! And cookout old commercials!

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