Homer Bailey dominates as Reds defeat Brewers, 6-0

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey came into tonight’s game prepared to make his 18th, and final, start of the season. Although the season, from a results standpoint, may not have been what Bailey had in mind, the fact that he was able to get through 18 starts with no setbacks after missing basically 2 full seasons with injuries should be looked at as a positive for 2017. While he showed some flashes of his pre-injury self as the season went on, he saved his best performance for last. Against a Milwaukee team fighting for a playoff spot, he threw 7 strong innings, giving up no runs on 4 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. While we do not know the future of the Reds’ rotation for 2018, hopefully Homer can use this as a confidence boost as he heads into the off-season.

Honorable mentions are due to: Joey Votto, who reached base 3 times, going 2-4 with a solo blast, a walk, and 2 RBI; Tucker Barnhart, for going 1 for 4 with a solo home run; and Scooter Gennett, for going 1 for 4 with 1 RBI.

Key Plays

• The Reds wasted no time getting on the board in this one, as Joey Votto hit a solo dinger, his 36th of the season, in the top of the first off of Brewers’ starter Brandon Woodruff. Reds led, 1-0.
• The Reds blew the game wide open in the top of the 3rd inning. Tucker Barnhart led things off with his 7th home run of the season. Homer Bailey then followed him up with a double. After a Billy Hamilton ground out and a Zack Cozart walk left runners on first and third, Joey Votto would hit a single into center to score Bailey for his 2nd RBI of the game to give the Reds a 3-0 lead. Scooter Gennett followed up Votto’s single with a base-hit of his own to score Cozart. A single by Eugenio Suarez would load the bases and chase Woodruff from the game. Scott Schebler then would chase his replacement, Wei-Chung Wang, with a RBI single to center. Adam Duvall then came up and lifted a sacrifice fly into center to score Scooter. Reds led, 6-0.
• Although the Reds loaded the bases late, that was all the scoring they would need as they cruised to a 6-0 victory.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Zack Cozart was removed from the game in the bottom of the 3rd due to right quad tightness. Hopefully this was precautionary and not a re-injury of the issue that has plagued him for much of this season. If it is a re-injury, then congrats on a hell of a season, Zack. It’s been great watching you tear the cover off the ball this year.
• The third and final game of the series is tomorrow afternoon at 4:10 PM ET. Sal Romano will get the start against the Reds and he will face off against Brent Suter.
• Tunes.