Bailey deals, Billy blasts as Reds walk off vs Brewers

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey had his best start of the season on Monday. After a shaky first inning, Bailey was absolutely dialed in and allowed only one base-runner until the 7th, retiring 14-straight at one point. Unfortunately things unraveled a little bit in the 7th inning, but it was still encouraging to see Homer pitch this well after such a rough stretch to start the season. In all, he gave up 3 runs on 6 hits with no walks and 4 strikeouts while dialing it up to 96 on the gun at certain points.

Honorable mentions go to: Billy Hamilton, for going 2 for 5 with the game-winning solo dinger and a crucial outfield assist in the first inning; Tucker Barnhart, for going 1 for 4 with a clutch, 2-run double; Joey Votto, for going 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored, and 1 RBI; and Kevin Shackelford and Raisel Iglesias, for each throwing shutout innings to keep the Reds in the game.

Key Plays

• The Reds were able to strike first in the top of the third inning. Homer Bailey got things started with a 1-out single after a fantastic 9-pitch at-bat. Billy Hamilton then reached on a fielding error that put runners on first and second. A Zack Cozart walk loaded the bases and then a Joey Votto walk brought in Bailey. A double play by Adam Duvall ended the inning but the Reds led 1-0.
• The Reds added onto their lead in the bottom of the 6th. Three straight singled by Votto, Duvall, and Scooter Gennett loaded the bases for the Reds. That brought up Eugenio Suarez who walked to bring in Votto. After Scott Schebler struck out, Tucker Barnhart came up and smacked a double to the wall in left-center to drive in two. Reds led, 4-0.
• Homer Bailey, after retiring his previous 14 batters, finally ran into some trouble in the top of the 7th. Ryan Braun led off with a solo shot to the upper deck in left to cut the lead to 4-1. Two more singles from Travis Shaw and Domingo Santana to put guys on first and second ended Bailey’s day. Michael Lorenzen came in and retired the first two batters he faced, but then Orlando Arcia launched a dinger to center to tie the game at 4-4.
• The scored remained tied until the bottom of the 9th, when Billy Hamilton took a 2-out pitch and lined it into the seats in left-center. Reds win, 5-4!

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• The home run by Billy in the 9th was his first career walk-off and his first from the right side of the plate in 2017.
• Game 2 of the series will be tomorrow night as Robert Stephenson tries to continue his solid run against Zach Davies. First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET.
• Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day, everyone.
• Tunes.