Reds new 2B out duels Reds old 2B to win 11-8

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

On June 6th, Scooter Gennett hit four home runs and batted in 10. It was very likely the single best day at the plate that any Red has ever had. Think about that; a franchise that’s seen Ted Kluszewski play for it. Frank Robinson played for it. Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan played for it. Barry Larkin played for it. Ken Griffey, Jr. didn’t spend his best years playing for it, but he played for it.

Joey Votto is playing for it.

That’s not to say what Gennett did tonight stacks up. Not even close. But hit another grand slam, his third of the season. He drove in another five runs, which is damn impressive until you read the paragraph above about driving in 10 in a game.

In any other year, this would be Gennett’s crowning achievement. A guy playing a role seeing the ball well. But this isn’t just another year for Gennett. Since being discarded by the Brewers, Scooter’s been on a different level. This season’s been his best by nearly every and all metric. So here it is, Mr. Ryan Gennett. Another trophy.

Honorable mention to Joey Votto, of course, who got on base twice in a game, again. Adam Duvall, who hit twice and walked once, scoring twice. Scott Schebler, fresh off the DL, recording three hits and a walk, driving in one and scoring twice. Robert Stephenson allowed only three hits and three walks and one earned in five innings, which isn’t the greatest, but in the lense of the Reds starting rotation is a damn fine thing. Wandy Peralta and Michael Lorenzen allowed 0 runs.

Key Plays

• Fresh off the DL, Scott Schebler walked to begin the 3rd inning. He quickly had to get on his horse, however, as Tucker Barnhart doubled shortly after. After a Bob Steve struck out, Billy Hamilton grounded out but scored Scheb from third. Jose Peraza flied out to end the inning. Reds, 1-0.
• Our old friend Brandon Phillips led off the bottom half of the frame with a dinger. Tie game, 1-1.
• Joey Votto grounded out for the first out of the 4th (boooo). Adam Duvall smacked a double before a Scooter Gennett walk. Eugenio Suarez lined a single to center that scored Duvall and Gennett, and then Schebler singled to right to score Suarez. The Reds did no other damage, but end the top half of the fourth leading 4-1.
• Bob Steve opened the bottom of the 4th by hitting Ozzie Albies with a pitch. Dansby Swanson filed out for the first out. Julio Teheran laid down a bunt that should’ve been a sacrifice, but wasn’t. Albies and Teheran ended up at third and second, 1 out. Ender Inciarte popped a sac fly to center which scored Albies. Reds still lead, 4-2.
• With one out in the 6th, Schebler doubled before moving to third on a Barnhart ground out. Teheran uncorked a beaut, getting past the backstop, allowing Schebler to score. Reds add another, 5-2.
• Peraza and his newfound plate discipline walked to begin the 7th, which allowed him to score on Votto’s double. Duvall grounded out, which moved Votto to third. Scooter hit a sac fly to score Votto, adding to the Reds lead, 7-2.
• With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Nick Markakis singled to center before Kurt Suzuki hit his 13th tater of the season. Braves get two back, 7-4
• In the top of the 9th, Peraza and Votto singled leading to a Duvall walk. Scooter “Fucking” Gennett doinked a grand salami, his third of the season, to add four insurance runs to the board. Reds, 11-4.
• BUT WAIT JUST A SECOND ALL OF SUDDEN the Braves answered back in the bottom of the frame. Markakis and Suzuki singled apiece before OF COURSE Matt Adams smoked a dong to add three runs. Dansby Swanson singled before Jace Peterson and Inciarte struck out. BP single softly back up the middle leading to a Freddie Freeman single into left, scoring Swanson. Scooter’s insurance grand slam was erased, but Matt Kemp grounded out to end the threat. Reds win, 11-8.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• I didn’t watch this game and am writing this recap on the fly at 3AM, so I have no interesting insights to add. The Reds won and that’s cool. They nearly yakked it up in the 9th, which, well, is less cool.
• The Reds will pick it back up with the Braves tomorrow afternoon at 1:35 ET. The Reds will be looking for the series sweep, and have a good chance by sending Luis Castillo to the mound. The Braves will be counting on Sean Newcomb, who would actually fit in pretty nicely with the Reds staff.
• Tunes.