Reds lose to Cardinals, much to the surprise of everyone

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

The last time I wrote in this space, I wrote a lot of praise about Brandon Phillips.

It all applies tonight offensively, and it's a pretty dang cool thing to watch. There's a lot to say and discuss and debate about Phillips's contract and usage and impact on the team. It's been discussed and debated here at your very own Red Reporter, in fact. But there's no denying that Phillips has been huge for this team in 2015. A 2015 Reds team that's been damn fortunate to miss losing 100 games. This team is not a #debbie, I think (I think #debbies are attractive, and this team is anything but), but DatDude is the least of its problems.*

So have another trophy, Brandon, for a 3-4 with the only RBI of the night.

Honorable mention to: John Lamb, who could totally have half of this trophy with his 6 IP, 6K, 1 BB night in a strong showing; Todd Frazier, for a 2-4 night; Joey Votto for his 1-3, 1 BB line, and Jason Bourgeois for his 1-3, 1 walk and only run scored.

Key Plays

• Jason Bourgeois walked to lead the game off. After a Eugenio Suarez strike out, Bourgeois took 2nd base on a Jamie Garcia wild pitch. Joey Votto singled, sending Bourgeois to 3rd and setting him up for Brandon Phillips, who singled on a line drive to right field, scoring Bourgeois. The Reds then went quietly into the 1st inning night, never to be heard from again. Reds lead, 1-0.
• We have to wait until the bottom of the 8th for the next key (scoring) play. JJ Hoover came in for the Reds out of the bullpen to shut down the Cardinals, but that didn't go as planned to say the least. Tommy Pham (which I'm pretty sure is not a real person's real name) tripled to lead off the inning, followed by a Jason Heyward ground out. Jhonny Peralta singled on a line drive to right field to tie the game, and then Stephen Piscotty doubled to left to score pinch runner Peter Bourjos. The Cardinals didn't score again.
• But, neither did the Reds. Cardinals win 2-1 in St. Louis and wow I'm shocked.

Tony Graphanino

Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

• The Reds lost in St. Louis. You can basically set your clocks by it.
• John Lamb sure was pretty tonight. I can't decide what he was as a part of the Johnny Cueto trade (the "sure he used to be a top prospect but we're tired of waiting on him" or "we think he's on his way back but okay take if we can get Cueto"). Regardless, John Lamb's acquainted himself well with Reds fans. The record is dumb (1-3 but win-loss records are dumb, anyway), and the ERA isn't great (4.6 even after a 0 tonight) but the peripherals are promising. He's striking out over 10 per 9, and while the BB/9 of nearly 3 is high, he's getting beat up for a .381 BABIP in his 8 starts for the Reds. His xFIP is a full run lower than his ERA. There's talent here for a guy that used to be a highly regarded prospect. With any luck, he's figured it out, and will realize that talent wearing a Reds uniform.
• I'm not going to lie, I didn't actually watch a minute of this game. I was looking forward to them beating the Cards when they were up in the 8th, as I was wasting my time with NFL football and the Indianapolis Colts.
• They both lost, and I'm kinda despondent and hate sports.
• Tunes.