Reds 4, Giants 3 - Walks, Balks, and CAWCAWknocks

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Johnny Cueto pitched one hell of a game, but I have to give the nod to Sir Marlon Byrd in this one.  Byrd went 2 for 2 with 2 walks, 3 RBI, and the go ahead solo wanger in the bottom of the 8th.  All three of Byrd's RBI gave the Reds a lead in the game.  Marlon Byrd sure did suck to start the year, and we don't want his option to vest.  However, he sure is hitting the snot out of the ball right now, and it is fun to watch.

Honorable Mentions are due to: Johnny Cueto for pitching 7 innings, giving up 2 earned runs, and striking out 9; Aroldis Chapman for picking up his 7th save and striking out 2; and Brayan Pena for his 2 hits and a RBI.

Key Plays

• In the Top of the 1st, Cueto started the inning by coaxing a ground ball to Skip Schumaker.  However, Skip ain't no BP.  He made a good diving stop but couldn't find the handle on the ball.  Cueto caused some panic by walking Joe Panik, and Buster Posey knocked in the runner from third with a single to right center field.  Cueto struck out the next batter on a 3-2 count and with the double steal on.  Pena fired to second to catch the runner and Posey held up.  The runner at 3B then broke for home, which forced Cozart to throw to 3B. Frazier fielded the throw, forcing the runner to home, and threw to Pena who made the tag.  Whew.  Giants lead, 1-0.
• A bunch of stupid stuff happened in the bottom of the 1st inning.  Votto, Frazier, and Byrd all walked to load the bases with two outs.  Votto and Frazier both stole bases during the inning. Jay Bruce worked the count and hit a ball to deep right center field.  If you were listen to Thom and watching the video feed, you'd think he killed the ball for a grand slam.  Instead, he hit it about as deep as he could without hitting it out.  Angel Pagan reeled it in with his back against the wall.  Same Score.
• In the top of the 3rd, Cueto gave up a double to Gregor Blanco, and Johnny walked Angel Pagan.  With Buster Posey on the plate, Cueto was paying a lot of attention to Blanco on third base.  Johnny moved his glove while he was set, and the umpires called a delayed balk.  Both runners advanced and Blanco scored.  It was all kinds of confusing, but Johnny definitely balked.  Posey then grounded out.  Giants lead, 2-0.
• In the bottom half, Cozart took a four pitch walk with 1 out.  Welp.  Joey took a strike three that was ball four with Cozart running.  Cozy probably would've been safe, but he didn't slide and slowed up into 2nd.  I guess he thought there was a walk?  There should have been a walk, but that does not excuse Cozart's mistake.  STOOPY DUMB.  Giants still lead, 2-0.
• Cueto sat down the top of the 4th and Toddy hit a lead off double to start off the bottom of the 4th.  Marlon Byrd walked for the second time in the game with Lincecum somehow delivering a pitch after falling down.  He kept falling down which was funny.  Jay Bruce stuck out and looked bad doing it.  NERTS came to the plate and hit a chopper up the middle that squeaked through the middle of the infield.  Frazier scored and Byrd moved to second.  Schumaker hit a liner to right center and Pena got doubled up a first.  Damn.  Double falcon damn.  Giants lead, 2-1.
• Cueto got a walk and two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the 5th, and then led off the bottom half with a infield bunt single.  CUET CUET.  GG/MVP hit a single down the third base line.  Runners were at 1st and 2nd with one out.  Votto struck out  and Toddy was hit by a pitch bringing up Marlon Byrd with bases loaded and 2 outs.  The Byrd was the word as he CAWCAW'd a little flair to right field scoring 2 runs.  Lincecum was pulled from the game for Javy Lopez the pitcher.  Bruce struck out on three pitches and I wanted to cry.  Reds lead, 3-2.
• Cueto struck out another two in the 6th and was just rolling along.  Nothing new here.
• Johnny got himself in some trouble with runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out, and Aoki at the plate.  With a full count he got Aoki to ground to Schumaker for the 4-6-3 double play.  Cueto's last pitch was his 114th of the night. Reds lead 3-2.
• Tony Cingrani walked the first batter of the inning and promptly picked him off.  Replay upheld the call on the field.  Joe Panik then hit a ball down the left field line that Marlon Byrd tried to dive for and missed.  The result was a triple.  Pagan hit a single to right field to score the runner.  Jumbo secured the final two outs.  Game tied, 3-3.
• CAWBOMB!  MARLON BYRD HITS A BIG BIRD FLY TO TAKE THE LEAD!  BRUCE WALKED ON 4 PITCHES, PENA HIT A SINGLE TO RIGHT FIELD, BUT MESORACO STRUCK OUT LOOKING ON A BALL WAY OUTSIDE AND NEGRON BOUNCED OUT.  RALLY CAPS, Y'ALL!  REDS LEAD, 4-3!
• Chapman entered the game, of course, and got a strikeout, and a strikeout, and a fly out.  REDS WIN, 4-3! WOOO!

Tony Graphanino

Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

• Ryan Mattheus still hasn't shown up to join the team.  I feel like we should starting playing the Carmen San Diego theme song.
• Saying CAW CAW is pretty falcon fun.
• Jim Day's impersonations need to stop.
• If you haven't heard, apparently both Michael Lorenzen and Raisel Iglesias will be joining the bullpen for the time being.  The Reds have a lot of days off in the coming weeks, and will be able to survive with a four man rotation.  That is if you can considering letting Jason Marquis pitch every fifth day as surviving.  I don't.
• Johnny Cueto is super special and he ran out a bunt today.  He ran really fast.
• TUNES