Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
The Reds offense has taken quite the nap lately, but Billy Hamilton continued a somewhat promising start to his season. I mean, the offensive statistics are about what you'd expect from Billy, and he's also failed to stay healthy. On the other side of the coin, he's made some incredible defensive plays (one in this one), and he's making solid contact with the ball in this young season, even if it doesn't quite show up in box score.
His best case scenario comp, of course, just got popped for PED use. So "incredible defense and solid contact" might be, in fact, be the standard upside for Hamilton going forward.
He was basically all of the offense in this one, gathering 3 hits and scoring from first on a Zack Cozart double for the only Reds run of the night. And it's that type of effort that lends hope to every Reds fan; when Hamilton does anything positive, it's almost twice as dangerous as your normal player. Let's hope that the positives can outweigh the negatives, even if "maybe Billy Hamilton can turn into Dee Gordon" is no longer a desirable wish.
Honorable mention to Zack Cozart who provided the only RBI tonight on his only hit, Eugenio Suarez (who pitched in a hit) and Brandon Phillips (who pitched in a hit and a defense gem), as well as Joey Votto and Tucker Barnhart for walking. The bullpen wasn't completely God awful, as JC Ramirez and Tony Cingrani combined for three scoreless innings.
Key Plays
- The Pirates wasted no time denting the scoreboard, as John Jason launched a bomb off of the charitable Alfredo Simon on the first pitch in the bottom of the 1st inning. Simon would walk two thereafter, but dodge any additional bullets (something that can't be said for others who've entered Alfredo's life, unfortunately). Pirates led, 1-0.
- The Reds got on the board themselves in the top of the 5th. Tucker Barnhart lined out to begin the inning before Alfredo Simon reached on a ball that Francisco Cervelli missed throwing to first base. Simon tried to take two, but was gunned down. Womp. Billy Hamilton then singled and would eventually score from first on a Zack Cozart double; a play where Hamilton both turned on the jets and displayed a little magic sliding. Eugenio Suarez would ground out to end the inning, but the Reds evened the game at 1.
- Somewhat predictably, the Reds gave it back in the bottom of the frame. David Freese singled, Starling Marte was hit on the hand, and Cervelli singled into center to score Freese, signaling the end for Simon. JC Ramirez relieved Simon to try and limit the damage. Gregory Polanco grouned out, but moved the runners forward. Josh Harrison scored Marte from third on a sac fly, before Ramirez intentionally walked Jordy Mercer to get to pitcher Francisco Liriano, who struck out. The Pirates added 2, led 3-1.
- Caleb Cotham came in in the bottom of the 8th, and well, bullpen gon' bullpen. Matt Joyce singled before Sean Rodriguez blasted his 4th dinger of the season. McCutchen lined out and Freese struck out before Cotham plunked Marte. Cervelli flied out to end the inning, but the Pirates widened their lead, 5-1.
- Despite a promising beginning to their 9th inning, the Reds could do nothing. Final score: Pirates 5, Reds 1.
Fangraph hey look there was a time there that the Reds had a shot to win!
Source: FanGraphs
Other Notes
- The Reds pitching just can't get or stay healthy. News today suggest that we may not see Raisel Iglesias or Anthony DeSclafani in the coming games. Iglesias felt a pinch in is right shoulder today, and it looks like Tim Adleman will replace Iglesias in his the final game in Pittsburgh tomorrow. DeSclafani apparently felt a "sensation" in his strained oblique, and the Reds plan to take it fairly slow with him, as to not aggravate the injury.
- It's not like these two guys were expected to anchor the front end of the Reds rotation this year, or anything. /kicks dirt
- Homer Bailey and John Lamb should be fairly close to returning, however. Though, that's all I'm going to say about that. These things are delicate, you see.
- Is this the longest game ever? It feels like the longest game ever.
- The Reds played the Pirates. Three batters were hit. Imagine that.
- Tunes.