Reds offense awakens behind solid Sal Romano start, FINALLY win again, 10-4.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

There are a lot of good things to write about for this game, and that’s a damn refreshing thing to think about.

Despite the offense breaking out of its week-long rut, the JNMHSotG is going to the big right-hander, Sal Romano.

Romano got his second quality start of the season, going six full innings, allowing only two runs (one earned) and one walk to go along with five strikeouts. For the first time in forever, seemingly, Romano didn’t have to work so damn hard to get out of the first inning. He was pretty great for the most part even as he began to run into a bit of trouble in the later innings, he kept the Reds squarely in the game. It’s exactly the type of start the Reds needed and got from the powerful righty, and he gets the trophy for his effort

And all of that set up the offensive awakening, as the Reds didn’t do much of anything at the plate until after Romano left the game. Scott Schebler gets the first honorable mention (and damn near a co-trophy, if I’m being honest) after hitting the Reds first HR of, what, the season or something? He had two hits and three RBI in five tries and thank goodness his bat is back in the lineup.

Jose Peraza reached base three times, as did Joey Votto. Adam Duvall did, too, with two RBI. Jesse Winker pinch hit and knocked in a run in his only appearance, and it was a fairly large run at the time. Phil Gosselin was put into the game without actually being used, which seems to be peak-Phil Gosselin usage. So he’ll get a mention, too.

Raisel Iglesias was absolutely nails, getting the final four outs of the game while hardly breaking a sweat.

Key Plays

• The Reds gave up the first run of the game in the top of the 3rd in a particular Reds-y way. Dansby Swanson walked to begin the inning. Ender Inciarte hit a sharp grounder into LF with Swanson running on the hit. Adam Duvall’s ill-advised throw got by Cliff Pennington at 3B, and Sal Romano (presumably backing up 3B), slipped/slid/fell down(??) fielding the ball, which resulted in a terrible throw to home. Swanson scored to make it a 1-0 game.
• Nick Markakis bopped a oppo-taco in the top of the 4th to add one to the Braves lead, 2-0.
• Bill Hamilton reached 1B on a one-out walk and then /red flashing siren light emoji SCOTT SCHEBLER MICROWAVED A TATER TO STRAIGHT AWAY CENTER FIELD FOR A 2-RUN HOME RUN!! TIE BALL GAME after 5!
• The Reds kept the line moving in the 6th. The Braves bullpen loaded the bases on an Adam Duvall walk, Tucker Barnhart single, and Cliff Pennington walk. Phil Gosselin replaced Sal Romano for a second, then the Braves made a pitching change so Big Time Jim Riggleman sent Winker to the plate (like he should’ve to begin with, but I digress). Anyway, Jesse Winker singled to score Duvall to give the Reds their first lead in a week. Hamilton and Schebler made the first two outs of the inning before Jose Peraza knocked a line drive single into RF, to score Pennington. The Braves changed pitchers again. It didn’t work, as Jesse Biddle gave up a four pitch walk to Joey Votto to score another, before Scooter Gennett looped a bloop to LF that scored two more. Duvall, the man who started all this run scoring nonsense, grounded out to end the inning. A FIVE RUN inning for your Cincinnati Redlegs. A LEAD, even! 7-2.
• Wandy Peralta cruised through 1.1 IP, but ran into trouble with one out in the 8th. Inciarte singled on a line drive to left center field. Ozzie Albies popped out for out number two, but Freddie Freeman hit one into RF before taking 2B on defensive indifference. Perhaps they should’ve been a little less indifferent, because both Inciarte and Freeman scored on a Markakis single to CF. Peralta was lifted for Raisel, who got the final out of the inning with one pitch. Reds still up, 7-4.
• The Reds played add on in the bottom of the 8th. Billy got aboard to lead off the inning with no outs before stealing 2B on a pitch out (a pitch out!). Schebler knocked a ground ball single into CF that scored Billy. Peraza then walked before Votto and Gennett made the first two outs of the inning. No problem, though, because Duvall smacked a two-run two-out double down the LF line. Tucker grounded out to end the frame. Reds up even more, 10-4.
• Raisel nailed down the final three outs and THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE DAMN REDS, 10-4.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Earlier today, the Reds announced that they have released RHP Barrett Astin. Astin started the season in AAA Louisville and pitched 7.2 innings of 4.70 ERA ball, with a sky high 1.696 WHIP. Last season was the only one in which he appeared with the Reds, pitching eight innings that were, well, not good. Astin is best known as being one of the two PTBNL in the deal that completed the Jonathan Broxton trade to Milwaukee.
• The Reds also released the following statement from former manager Bryan Price this evening:

• Scott Schebler’s home run in the bottom of the 5th inning was the first Reds home run in over 200 at bats. That’s... something.
• Tunes.