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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Easy call. Johnny Cueto allowed just 2 runs over 8 innings, striking out 10 against just 1 walk. He also drove in a run. He's your JNMHSofG, staff ace, and early favorite for All-Star Game starter.
Honorable mentions are due to Brandon Phillips, who stroked 3 hits fresh off an off day, and Brayan Pena, who drove in a couple.
Key Plays
- The Brewers scored twice tonight, both on solo HRs. Aramis Ramirez hit the first in the second inning. 1-0, Brewers.
- The Reds started slow but got the offense going in the 4th. Ryan Ludwick and NERTS hit singles after the Reds loaded the bases with one out. Reds took the lead for good, 3-1.
- The Brewers got one back in the 5th when Mark Reynolds hit Milwaukee's second solo shot, but the Reds got them back in the 6th. Some aggressive and stupid baserunning got Ryan Ludwick to third but then thrown out on a tapper back to the mound. But with two outs, Johnny Cueto rapped a clean single to right, scoring Pena. He even went to second on the errant throw. With the bases juiced, Votto got a good swing but lined out to deep center. Seems like he's hit into some tough luck this series. Anyways, 4-2.
- The Reds took this one out of Save Situation in the Seventh. Phillips doubled, then Frazier doubled him in. Frazier later scored after consecutive Wild Pitches from Tyler Thornburg.
- That was the extent of the scoring. Sam LeCure showed them what's what in the 9th, retiring the side in order. 6-2 Reds.
Upward and onward Fangraphs thingie
Notes
- Skip Schumaker made his Reds debut tonight, pinch running for Ludwick. The team DFA'd Roger Bernadina to make room.
- Billy Hamilton was out of the lineup again and is day-to-day after his diving catch in the first game of the series.
- Lots of Cueto goodies from Twitter tonight. From Slyde: Johnny Cueto now has 7 starts of 7+ IP & 2 or fewer runs to start the season. Only Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 had a longer streak (8).
- From Ramsey: Cueto is also the first Reds pitcher since Bucky Walters in 1944 to begin a season with 7 consecutive starts with 7.0 or more innings.
- John Danneman: Cueto is first Reds pitcher to throw 8 innings in 4 consecutive appearances since Jose Rijo in 1990.
- From the Rays Reporter Desk: some of the players got sent to the Principal's office today ... and met with Mr. Belding. Well actually they're from the Rockies' org, but their unis looked like the Rays' on first glance. Whatever, it's still Mr. Belding.