Oh right, those Cubs. Reds win 7-5

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

I’ve been very impressed with Wandy Peralta so far. He’s been more than a LOOGY in Price’s wacky new bullpen, and he’s struck out 12 of 25 batters he’s faced so far. Today he came in with two on and no out with the Cubs threatening to ruin another day in Cincinnati. He let up a productive grounder and two strikeouts to keep the Cubs at bay. Good for you Wandy. Here’s to many more.

Honorable mentions to Bronson Arroyo for going 6IP, 3H, 2ER, 0BB, 7K and getting his second win since 2014. Eugenio Suarez kept it up, going 1-2 with a double and 2 walks. The corner outfielders also got it going on – Schebler went 2-4 with a dinger and Kivlehan went 1-3 with a walk and 3 RBI.

Key Plays

• It was a Very Billy First Inning. Hamilton singled up the middle, then stole second and third while Peraza batted. Votto hit a sac fly to get him home and get the Reds up 1-0.
• The second inning was a bit more traditional. Scott Schebler hit a home run to make it 2-0.
• The Cubs got ‘em back in the top of the fourth via a Kris Bryant single and an Anthony Rizzo home run to make it 2-2.
• But the Reds pipped it back up, thanks to a Suarez double. He was followed by a 2-out Kivlehan walk and a Schebler single to get a run back. Tucker Barnhart struck out on 7 pitches to end the thread. Reds up 3-2.
• The sixth inning was vintage Cubs back when that was a bad thing: Votto led off by reaching on an error, then Suarez was walked by Lackey. Gennett got a bunt single to load the bases. Kivlehan broke it open, hitting a first-pitch double past Jon Jay to clear the bases. Schebler and Barnhart got themselves out on a collective 3 pitches, but the pinch-hitting Phil Ervin reached base via error, allowing Kivlehan to score. 7-2 Reds.
• Blake Wood didn’t have it today. He let up single by Zobrist and Addy Russell to begin the 7th. Peralta got out of the jam, though – Jason Heyward hit a productive grounder to score one, but the Reds got Russell out at second. This was key because Miggie Montero followed with a single that got Heyward to second base. Almora and Jay struck out to end the threat. Reds up 7-3.
• The ninth was, ah, not vintage Raisel Iglesias. Zobrist doubled to begin the inning. Russell singled to score him, then got to third on a cheap throwing error by Iglesias. Jason Heyward then singled to score Russell. With the score 7-5, Iggy calmed down and got a double play ball and a two-pitch flyout to end the inning. Reds win 7-5.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• The Reds are back above .500! Hooray!
• They begin a road trip tomorrow. It begins in Milwaukee, with Amir Garrett bringing his pit bull and his slider to Miller Park to face Matt Garza – who is still around! – at 7:40 ET.
• Rookie Davis may be ready for the third game of the series.
• Patrick Kivlehan may not truly be the answer. He’s still striking out too much and walking too little. But he certainly seems competent. Ervin and Winker are going to have a tough time getting that spot from him.
• Bronson Arroyo: back? Discuss.