Reynolds' Revenge: Reds 8, Rox 3.

The Rockies picked Greg Reynolds second overall in the 2006 draft, ahead of luminaries such as Evan Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum, and Drew Stubbs. Reynolds battled through arm injuries and managed to give Colorado only 94 substandard innings. Tonight, he allowed 3 runs in eight innings, striking out 5 and walking none. He also stroked a double and scored a run. Easy call here.

Honorary mentions to Shin-Soo Choo, Brandon Phillips, and Ryan Ludwick, who each got 3 hits. BP finished a mere single shy of the cycle.

Key Plays:

• The Reds got off to a good start against Juan Nicasio. Choo walked on four pitches, then BP smacked a triple. Votto grounded out to plate El Beeperino. Reds up, 2-0.
• Phillips hit an opposite field solo shot in the third to get the tougher half of the cycle out of the way. 3-0.
• The Reds continued their odd-inning attack, scoring 3 in the fifth. A Choo single, BP double, and Bruce IBB left the bases loaded with one out. Reliever Wilton Lopez came on and promptly balked, scoring Choo. Ryan Ludwick's third single of the game drove in Phillips and Bruce. He's looked a little rough in the field, but the offensive production has been most welcome. The Rox got one back in the bottom of the frame, but Votto got it back with an RBI single in the sixth. So 7-1.
• Choo doubled in Zack Cozart in the 8th, after Reynolds had sacrified Coz to second. Reynolds then survived the 8th, allowing a 2RHR to Ghost of Shitty Outfielders Past Corey Dickerson. Bruce caught a Troy Tulowitzki flyball on the warning track to end the inning. Reds up 8-3!
• After a particularly Badrroyo night, it was fortunate that only one reliever was necessary. Sam LeCure struck out the heart of Colorado's lineup to end the contest.

Fangraphs that should go in Greg Reynolds' den:

via www.fangraphs.com

• Can't say enough about Reynolds' poise tonight. He was in control all game, fielded well (even calling off BP on a pop up), hit a double, and put down a sac bunt when asked. Reminded me a little of that game in 2009 when Jeremy Sowers shut down the Reds in Cleveland.
• A night after Todd Helton parked two and was left with one hit shy of 2,500, Reynolds struck him out twice and didn't allow him to reach safely.
• Too bad Phillips didn't get that cycle. Would've been the first since Eric Davis in 1989, who had the first since Frank Robinson in 1959.
• BK had some pretty sweet seats tonight.
• Pitt beat STL again, so the Reds are 3.5 back of the lead, 2.5 behind the Cards.
• I love Saturdays.