Well, That Happened. Pirates 4, Reds 0.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Umm...

Well...

Shin-Soo Choo was 1 for 3 with a single and a HBP, and Joey Votto was 2 for 4 with a double...

Reds pitchers struck out 17 Pirates batters...

Yep. It was simply one of those games. Manny Parra was OK, I guess.

Dang.

Key Plays

• The Pirates got off the the start they wanted in the Top of the 1st, as Starling Marte led off with a triple (narrowly making it into 3B after a nice relay throw by Brandon Phillips). Russell Martin then reached on an infield single that scored Marte, and Martin then stole 2B despite replay suggesting that Zack Cozart had his glove on Martin's hand as it came off the bag. Those two close plays would haunt Mat Latos, as a jam-shot by Pedro Alvarez after consecutive walks would score two more. Reds trailed, 3-0.
• The Reds...yeah, that's about that.
• In the Top of the 7th, Marte singled to center that scored Johnny Mercer, who had walked and moved to 2B on a sacrifice. The Reds...yeah, they didn't do anything. Reds lose, 4-0.

Remarkably Uneventful Disappointing FanGraph Section

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-06-18&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=2013-06-18&team=Reds&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span>

Other Notes

• I feel bad for the fans that showed up to this one. I don't feel bad for them because the Reds lost; I feel bad for them because this was, quite possibly, the least eventful game in recent memory.
• Shin-Soo Choo and Xavier Paul both were hit by pitches from Pirates' pitchers, and nobody cared.
• Mat Latos was saddled with a loss for the first time in 22 starts, and for just the 2nd time in his last 38 starts. Pitcher wins and losses blah blah blah blah, but that's still pretty dang impressive.
• Between birthdays and anniversarys, half of RR is celebrating tonight. Pat yourselves on the back, because it's probably your special day!
• Tunes? Tunes!
• Want more tunes? Click here and listen to this entire album if you've got the time. If you don't at least check out track 10. Well, I know Howie will like 'em, at least.