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The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Tucker Barnhart has carved out much more than a niche role with the Cincinnati Reds in this, his third year with the big league club. Despite having come up knowing that Devin Mesoraco was set to be in front of him on the depth chart for the foreseeable future, Tucker has shown that he's not just willing to be a placeholder, but that he's legitimately going to knock down the door for regular playing time if and when a position battle arises.
On Tuesday, he launched his first career grand slam, the biggest hit in the Reds' 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins, and in the process raised his season line to a dang respectable .267/.331/.410, marks I'm not sure any of us would've predicted at the onset of the season. So, congrats for bustin' heads, Tucker. Have yourself a trophy.
Honorable Mentions are due to: Anthony DeSclafani, who allowed just 2 ER in 6 IP, struck out 6 against nary a walk, and left after 89 pitches with a bit of a rolled ankle; Scott Schebler, who went 3 for 4 with a run scored; and Joey Votto, who singled, walked, scored a run, and drove one in.
Key Plays
- Martin Prado has made a habit of knocking the snot out of Reds pitching - he owned an .831 career OPS against the Reds, including an absurd 1.794 OPS in 18 PA this year prior to tonight. He didn't miss a beat in the Top of the 1st, smoking a double to RF with 1-out and scoring a batter later on a single to LF by Christian Yelich to put the Marlins ahead early, 1-0.
- The Reds struck back in the Bottom of the 1st against Jose Urena, however, and did so with a 2-out rally. Votto got the action started with a single to RF, and that was followed by singles from both Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler to load the bases. Ivan De Jesus, Jr. then Votto'd with the bases loaded to drive in said Votto, and that brought Barnhart to the plate hungry for a tasty meatball. Urena served one up - quickly, at that - and Tucker mauled it for a grand slam into the RF seats. Reds led, 5-1.
- Dee Gordon channeled his inner Billy Hamilton to manufacture a run for Miami in the Top of the 3rd. He singled, stole 2B, moved to 3B on a groundout, and then scored from 3B on a Disco balk, dangit. Reds led, 5-2.
- Cincinnati tacked on an insurance run in the Bottom of the 7th, as Tony Renda scored on a Votto sac-fly after singling, moving to 2B on a Cozart walk, and taking 3B on a wild pitch. Reds led, 6-2.
- Christian Yelich walloped a solo dinger off Raisel Iglesias in the Top of the 8th to cut the lead to 6-3, but Igloo settled down after, handed the ball to Tony Cingrani for the Top of the 9th, and the Reds held on for a 6-3 victory.
Source: FanGraphs
- Prior to the start of this one, the Reds placed reliever Michael Lorenzen on the bereavement list and called up Tim Adleman in his place. According to The Enquirer's Zach Buchanan, Adleman will likely get Friday's start in Cody Reed's former rotation start, unless he's needed in long relief before then (in which case Keyvius Sampson, who's currently resting up after a similar situation from Sunday, will get the nod).
- tHom talked about Elvis for nearly half the broadcast on this, the 39th anniversary of the day The King died at his Graceland home in Memphis.
- Yes, tHom has been to Graceland. Yes, he loved it.
- Homer Bailey will take the mound in Wednesday in the third game of the series, and he'll be opposed by Miami starter Andrew Cashner, which is still somewhat weird to type. First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET.
- Despite having nearly a billion career hits in his illustrious career, Ichiro had never collected a hit in Great American Ball Park prior to his 9th inning triple.
- Tunes.