Scooter Gennett’s Reds Defeat the Pirates, 6-2

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Scooter Gennett played the role of big dawg tonight. He hammered the game-busting homer along with a double and a single. Pr’ good for an injury replacement. For his effort, he can walk into any Columbus, Ohio-area Gymboree (the only one is in Gahanna) and ask nicely if his toddler can play around for a bit because Red Reporter’s Charlie Scrabbles said it was okay. Now, asking nicely should do the job, but it’s not a guarantee. So, provisos and such.

Adam Duvall socked a wallopper too, along with a single and walk. And the Reds’ bullpen pitched five innings and gave up nary and earned run, so they collectively can share an honorable mention.

Key Plays

Adam Duvall has been hitting really, really well to begin this season. In the top of the 2nd, Jameson Taillon left one just a bit up and just a bit out over the plate and Duvall stroked it into the seats. 1-0, Redlegs.

In the 3rd, Starling Marte singled and got second base on a wild pitch. He moved to third on a Josh Bell ground out and an Andrew McCutchen walk made it runners on the corners. They tried a double-steal, and though Tucker Barnhart and Jose Peraza made good playing-catch catch-and-throws, Barnhart wasn’t able to get the tag down quickly enough and Marte was safe. 1-1.

In the 4th, a hustle Jose Peraza double, a steal of 3rd, and an Eugenio Suarez base hit got the lead back for the Reds. Lots of hustling. People like that shit. 2-1, Reds.

In the 5th, Rookie Davis tried to square up a bunt for some stupid reason #BantheBunt. He got socked pretty damn hard on his right forearm and took his base, but he was lifted from the mound in favor of Tony Cingrani.

Drew Storen came on for the 6th, but he couldn’t hold it clean. He hit Francisco Cervelli and gave up a single to (Cincinnati Native!) Josh Harrison. Jordy Mercer then grounded and easy DP ball to third, but 2B Scooter Gennett wasn’t able to exchange it cleanly. Adam Frazier then grounded a ball to Jose Peraza that he gifted to the sixth row down the 1B line and the game was tied.

In the 7th, Scooter redeemed himself. He laced a lead-off double to right field and moved to third base on a sac bunt. Bullet Billy Hamilton then drove a solid line drive to CF to get him home. 3-2, Reds.

In the 8th, Duvall and Suarez drilled a pair of singles before SCOOTER GD MFN GENNETT crushed a wank-donkler into the right field evening to give the Reds a 6-2 lead.

That was it. Raisel Iglesias threw 1.2 innings of dominant relief to shut ‘er down. Reds win, 6-2.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

A man who straight-facedly introduces himself to strangers as “Scooter” leads the Reds in home runs and RBIs.

At the time this august news magazine went to press, there was yet no word on the status of Rookie Davis. The hope is that his arm is just a bit bruised up and not, you know, splintered.

Another pedestrian evening for Joey Votto. I’m not worried, and if you are worried, you should soak your head. But the non-news of Joey’s pedestrianity is worthy of an Other Note, I guess.

There wasn’t much of a crowd in PBurgh for this one, maybe because of the rain delay or maybe because of the weekday or maybe because of the Reds in town. But in the 9th you could distinctly hear a good bit of booing and heckling when Joey came to the plate. Pittsburgh can eat butts for all I care.