The Reds win!

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

So the Reds aren’t good, sure. We know that. But there’s a pretty good case to be made for “Reds offense: actually good!”, and that case becomes more obvious when you actually get to see them all healthy and playing at the same time.

We didn’t get to see it for the first two or three weeks of the season. Two of the Reds hottest (and probably, best, this side of Joey Votto) hitters hit the disabled list early on this season. Couple that with predictably bad pitching and, well, it probably got Bryan Price fired.

But the aforementioned hot and best hitters have returned. It unfortunately hasn’t resulted in wins on wins, but it results in games that don’t feel over before they start.

All this is a long way of saying Eugenio Suarez is very, very good. He returned quicker than anyone could’ve hoped from his broken thumb and, maybe even more importantly, hasn’t missed a beat. He’s playing, essentially, the best 3B in the National League right now, which actually says quite a lot. And he continued to do that tonight, stroking another three hits and collecting another four RBI, scoring two runs himself.

He’s earning every penny and dime of his brand new contract extension. And he’s earning himself some trophies from Red Reporter, too (obviously the most valuable trophies).

Honorable mention to Luis Castillo, who had quite a thing going before giving his first hit in the fifth. He obviously needs to get to a point where he’s going more than 5.2 IP, but he was as dialed in tonight as he’s been all season. The aforementioned Scott Schebler hit twice more tonight, while Tucker Barnhart stroked a triple as part of a three hit, one RBI night. Adam Duvall managed to get on base three times, which will go a long way for him turning it around. Scooter Gennett honked a wanger.

Key Plays

• The Reds jumped on top of Mets pitcher Jason Vargas right out of the gate in this game. Back to back singles from Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler, and a HBP on Joey Votto loaded the bases before nary an out was recorded. Eugenio Suarez knocked in Peraza and Schebler with base knock to LF. Scooter Gennett would provide the first out thereafter, followed by an Adam Duvall twin killing. Oof. Reds up, 2-0.
• Suarez did it again in the 3rd. After Votto coaxed a one out walk, Suarez smacked a double to the wall in RF. The Reds sent Votto home on Jay Bruce’s arm (or at least that’s my story) and, well, he didn’t beat the tag, but the ball got by the catcher. Thank goodness. Anyway, Suarez advanced all the way to 3B. Gennett popped out for the second out of the inning, and for some silly reason, Vargas walked Duvall. Tucker Barnhart then golfed a single to left center that scored Suarez. Reds tack on 2, lead 4-0.
• The Mets climbed back into the game in the top of the 6th. Wilmer Flores baked a one run tater just over the LF wall for the Mets first run of the game (and only their second HIT of the game). With two outs, Asdrubal Cabrera singled before Yoenis Cespedes walked, and that would be that for Luis Castillo, who was replaced by Amir Garrett. Garrett would immediately walk two Mets batters (scoring one run) before sriking out Brandon Nimmo. Mets cut the Reds lead in half, 4-2.
• The Reds put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 7th. Schebler doubled to begin the frame and then moved to 3B on a Votto fly out. Suarez batted him in, because of course he did, and then Gennett walloped a dong to score ‘em both. Reds kept threatening, but added on nothing after, lead 7-2.
• That, as they say, was that. The REDS FREAKING WIN! 7-2

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• The Reds today traded Devin Mesoraco to these Mets, receiving in the exchange pitcher Matt Harvey. We’re all over it, of course, so go read about it here.
• Wish things would’ve worked out better for him here, but I do want to wish Devin Mesoraco a heartfelt farewell from the staff here at Red Reporter. Go do things.
• This was the first Bark in the Park night for the Reds, and lemme tell you; there was some Very Good Dogs at GABP tonight.
• The Mets placed Todd Frazier on the 10 day DL today with a balky hamstring, in case you were wondering where he was tonight.
• The Reds and Mets will wrap this series up tomorrow afternoon at 12:35pm EDT. Sal Romano will try not to be so sloppy when he faces off against Almost a Red Zack Wheeler. Join us, won’t you?
• Tunes.