Votto gets 4 hits, water is wet, and Reds down Pirates 7-4

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

You really can’t say enough about what Joey Votto has done in the second half. For those of us who watch most every day, it really shouldn’t be surprising. He continually puts up other-worldly numbers in the 2nd half and has done it for the 2nd straight season. Mr. Votto did it again today, reaching base 5 times while going 4-4 with a walk, a double, and his 25th dinger of the season. Here’s another trophy for your case, Joey. I, for one, am sad that we only get 2 more weeks to enjoy your hitting.

Honorable mentions are due to: Scott Schebler, for going 3 for 4 with his 10th double and scoring 3 runs; Tucker Barnhart, for going 1 for 1 with a double and a walk, but driving in 4 of your teammates; and Dan Straily, for pitching 6 innings and giving up only 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5.

Key Plays

• The Reds started things in the 2nd the way they had done so many times this weekend: By giving up runs. In the top of the inning, after a Gregory Polanco pop-out, Jang Ho Kang walked and then moved to 2nd on a single by Francisco Cervelli. After getting Sean Rodriguez to line out to center, he gave up a triple to Pedro Florimon to score two. Ivan Nova flied out to end the inning, but the Pirates led 2-0.
• It didn’t take long for the Reds to erase the deficit, as they plated 2 in the bottom if the inning. Scott Schebler led off with a single to center and then moved to second as Ivan De Jesus, Jr. reached on an error by Josh Bell. That would bring up Tucker Barnhart, who smacked a double to right to score both. They would go 1-2-3 after the double, but tied the game at 2-2.
• The Reds would take the lead after a big inning in the bottom of the third. Joey Votto led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout by Adam Duvall. Brandon Phillips would then come up and hit a ground-rule double to right-center to score Votto. Phillips would come around to score on a single by Schebler to increase the lead to 2. De Jesus would single to advance Schebler to third and then Barnhart added his 3rd RBI of the day on a sac-fly to score Schebler. Dan Straily would come up and collect his first hit of his career on a single to right, but Jose Peraza would strike out to end the inning. Reds lead, 5-2.
• The Pirates would cut the deficit by a run in the top of the 6th on a solo home run by Sean Rodriguez. Reds lead, 5-3.
• The lead would be increased to 3 again in the bottom of the 7th. Scott Schebler collected his 3rd hit of the day on a double to center field. Ivan De Jesus would move him over to 3rd on a sac-bunt and then Tucker Barnhart would bring him in on another sac-fly. Reds lead, 6-3.
• The Reds continued to add on to their lead in the bottom of the 8th, as Joey Votto donked his 25th dinger of the season on a line drive to left-center. Reds lead, 7-3.
• The Pirates were able to add one in the 9th on a single by Pedro Florimon and then a double by John Jaso, but that was all the damage that was done and the Reds held on to win 7-4.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• In the bottom of the third, Dan Straily collected his first career hit on a ground ball through the right side of the infield. That broke a 0-48 streak at the plate for his major league career. Congrats to Dan for finally getting over that hump.
• The solo-shot hit by Sean Rodriguez in the 6th was the 239th home run given up by Reds’ pitching this season. That ties the NL record and is 2 away from tying the MLB record.
• Gratuitous Joey Votto stats: He was hitting .401/.488/.623 in the 2nd half. That obviously went up today.
  
• The Reds had some updates on injuries today regarding some of their regulars and, well, it looks like it’s still up in the air whether they will return or not. From the looks of it, Homer Bailey and Zack Cozart are probably the longest shots to return, since both have recently had major surgeries and it wouldn’t be very prudent of the Reds to risk further injuries at this time.
• The Reds travel to Chicago tomorrow to face the Cubs. Tim Adleman (2-4, 4.21) will get the start and face off against Jason Hammel (14-9, 3.60). First pitch will be at 8:05 PM ET.
• Tunes.