Finnegan pitches well, but Reds fall to Cards 3-2

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

The Reds offense, which had been white hot as of late, struggled to get it going tonight. However, a strong start by Brandon Finnegan kept them in the ballgame. Finnegan pitched seven innings, allowed five hits, walked one, and struck out seven. He only allowed two runs on the night which lowered his season ERA to 3.77. It's been a tough season for Reds pitchers, but Finnegan has become one of the most solid options in the rotation.

Unfortunately for Finnegan, Adam Wainwright and his 5.40 ERA was even better tonight.

Honorable Mentions: Jay Bruce was hitless but had an RBi; Brandon Phillips got a hit and scored a run; Adam Duvall got a hit and had an RBI; Tony Cingrani pitched a scoreless ninth.

Key Plays

• The Reds got some offense going early in this one. In the bottom of the first Joey Votto walked to reach base, and Brandon Phillips followed up with a double. The next hitter, Jay Bruce, grounded out but Votto was able to score. Adam Duvall would then drive in Phillips with a single in to left.
• The Cardinals responded in the top of the second. Yadier Molina doubled off of Brandon Finnegan. Molina came home a few moments later on a Brandon Moss single.
• Neither team had a base runner through the next three innings.
• The Cardinals finally got things moving again in the top of the sixth. Matt Carpenter walked and then reached second on a balk. Aledmys Diaz promptly singled and tied the game at two.
• Joey Votto was hit by a pitch in the sixth. That was the Reds first baserunner since the first inning.
• Finnegan ran in to some trouble in the top of the seventh. Yadier Molina and Brandon Moss led off the inning with back to back singles. However, Finnegan was able to get Jedd Gyorko to ground out and Randal Grichuk to fly out. Pinch hitter Jhonny Peralta popped out to end the threat.
• The Reds turned to the bullpen in the eighth, and you can guess what happened. Matt Carpenter doubled off of Ross Ohlendorf. Aledmys Diaz then reached on a sac bunt to give the Cards first and third with no one out. Ohlendorf promptly walked Matt Holiday to load the bases. He was able to get Stephen Piscotty out, but Yadier Molina drove home a run with a single. Amazingly, that was the only run that scored.
• Cincinnati attempted to mount a comeback in the eighth, but they left two on in the inning.

Tony Graphanino

Notes

• In case you somehow missed the news, the Reds selected Nick Senzel with the second pick in the MLB Draft tonight. Red Reporter's own Wick Terrell broke down the selection.
• A fun story from tonight's radio broadcast. Apparently Jeff Brantley's father was so upset about how low his son's first contract offer was he asked the scout if he wanted to "step outside."
• In former Reds news, Mat Latos was DFA'd by the Chicago White Sox earlier today.
• Tomorrow night the Oakland A's roll in to town. Anthony DeSclafani is slated to make the start for the Reds at 7:10.
• Tunes.