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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Homer Bailey pitched six scoreless innings. I know it's the Cubs. I know Homer struggled somewhat, giving up six hits and three walks. But you have to crawl before you can walk, and after his shaky start to the season, Homer's eight strikeouts are the first step back to what we're all sure he's capable of producing. He even added an RBI of his own to the cause.
Honorable mentions go to Devin Mesoraco for continuing his torrid start to 2014, with two singles, a double, two runs scored, a walk and a run batted in, and to Zack Cozart with his first home run of the year, a two run jimmy-jack in the seventh inning, plus a double, a single and two runs scored. Jay Bruce also added a homer and two runs scored to the Reds' effort on the afternoon.
Key Plays
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No score until the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Mesoraco doubled to left, scoring Todd Frazier. Cozart followed that up with a double of his own, scoring Mesoraco. Then Bailey helped his own cause, driving in Cozart singling to left.
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An inning later, the Reds staged another two out rally, with a Jay Bruce double, followed by a Frazier double and a Ryan Ludwick single, plating two more runs.
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In the top of the seventh, Bruce launched his third homer of the season, a solo shot off of Cubs reliever Jose Veras (an ironic anagram for "saver"). Three batters later, Cozart followed a Meroraco base on balls by homering off of Veras himself, to give the Reds an 8-0 lead.
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The Cubs managed to scrap across two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning off of Manny Parra. Sam LeCure entered the game to stop the bleeding. In the ninth, Sean Marshall made his 2014 debut, allowing two singles but striking out two Cubs and allowing no runs to nail down the win.
Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail Fangraph:
Source: FanGraphs
Other Notes:
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The 2014 Reds remain undefeated on Sundays.
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The Reds have now won two consecutive series, both against National League Central opponents. This was their first road series win of the season.
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This was Sean Marshall's first appearance of 2014. Slowly but surely the Reds are getting healthy.
- The Cubs have yet to win a series this season.
- Happy Easter to those who celebrate the holiday. Here's a bunch of dioramas featuring marshmallow Peeps for your viewing pleasure.
- Tunes: It's a gorgeous springtime Sunday afternoon (at least, it is where I live). The Reds won big against the Cubs. You must remember, there will be days like this.