Braves pummel Reds. ATL 8, CIN 0.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Pedro Villareal was called up early Thursday afternoon, and while his first 2014 foray into major league relieving didn't go so well (2.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 H, 2 K), he managed to pick up the first hit of his MLB career - a single to RF that was very nearly a putout thanks to Jason Heyward's arm.  In a game nearly otherwise devoid of anything interesting from the Cincinnati Reds perspective, that's worthy of a trophy.

So, have a trophy, Pedro.

Honorable Mentions are due to:  Skip Schumaker, who singled, created groundbreaking new dance moves in LF for 3 hours, and pitched a pretty damn impressive inning of relief on the evening; Kris Negron, who chipped in (skipped in?) with a pinch-hit single; and Logan Ondrusek, who tossed a pair of clean innings from the bullpen.

Key Plays

• I'm seriously considering scrapping this section indefinitely.
• Andrelton Simmons opened the scoring for the Atlanta Braves with a solo dinger to LF in the Top of the 2nd off Reds spot-starter David Holmberg.  The Braves the proceeded to put the game into ridiculous range in the Top of the 3rd thanks to the first five batters reaching base.  A walk, a bunt single, and a walk left the bases loaded for Justin Upton, and his single scored two.  A sac fly then scored a third run, and Holmberg then intentionally walked B.J. Upton (say that out loud to yourself for an hour) before hitting the opposing pitcher - Julio Teheran - and walking Heyward to drive in a run.  Reds trailed, 6-0.
• /pages Talking Chop
• Villareal then got hit around for another two runs - one each in the 4th and the 5th - and aside from a baserunning Red here and there, that was it.  Reds lose, 8-0.