Cincinnati Reds blow lead, seize it back in 6-5 win over St. Louis Cardinals

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Joey Votto swatted a trio of hits, drove in a pair, hit an absolute missile off the RF wall that would’ve been a homer had it been lifted just a tad bit higher in the air, and has continued to look like the Votto of old since returning to the Cincinnati Reds lineup after having his finger busted by a pitch in early May.

If the Reds are going to navigate this tough stretch with several big bats injured and no help from their front office, they’re going to continue to lean on their veteran slugger, and tonight he picked them up when they needed it most.

Honorable Mentions are due to: Brad Brach, who fired a banger of a clean IP of relief; Kyle Farmer, who swatted a solo blast as part of his own 3-hit night; Jonathan India, who was once again on-base twice with a pair of hits; Tyler Stephenson, who rookie’d his way into a pair of hits in his own right (and scored twice, and drove in a huge run); Heath Hembree, who nailed down the save; and Tony Santillan, who fired a dazzling scoreless, hitless IP of relief (with 2 K).

Key Plays

• Paul Goldschmidt launched his own private rocket to space in the Top of the 1st, ultimately taking it into the upper-reaches of Earth’s stratosphere before returning back to the upper deck in GABP. Fortunately, it was a solo mission, and the Reds trailed, 1-0.
• Cincinnati struck back immediately, however. The rookie duo of India and Stephenson reached on respective singles, with Votto plating them both on a 2-run double down the RF line that moved him past Frank Robinson - Frank Robinson - on the Reds career ribbie list. Reds led, 2-1.
• Solo space missions were all the rage early, however, and Harrison Bader launched one of his own in the Top of the 2nd that leveled the score at 2-2.
• Farmer untied the score in the Bottom of the 4th, belting a solo bonk off Matt Wade LeBlanc that just cleared the LF wall, continuing the epic evening of solo rocket launches. Reds led, 3-2.
• Bullpen time began in the 6th. In a blink, the Reds were losing 4-3. Then, it was 5-3.
• The Reds put on their rally jammies in the Bottom of the 7th, thank the lehhrd. Singles from Tyler Stephenson and Votto put a runner in scoring position for Eugenio Suarez, who finally came through in a big way with a ribbie double down the LF line that left a pair of runners in scoring position with nobody yet out. Votto scooted home on a wild pitch, but for some reason Geno tried to tag on a shallow fly-out to RF and was nailed at the plate to end the threat. Still, the game was tied again, 5-5.
• A timely Giovanny Gallegos error helped the Reds in a huge, huge way in the Bottom of the 8th. After Farmer had singled, Gallegos threw wide of 2B on a dribbler by Tucker Barnhart that would’ve likely been a double play and instead registered nary an out. A walk later loaded the bags, Ty Steve lifted a sac-fly into CF to plate Farmer and give the Reds the lead, one that Hembree made work. Reds won, 6-5.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• It was not Tyler Mahle’s best evening, yet he grinded when it was needed most - namely, after he walked the bags loaded in the Top of the 5th with none out only to escape the jam unscathed in the frame. His final line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K on 95 pitches.
• Tomorrow will see Luis Castillo on the bump attempting to extend his wonderful run of form. He’ll be opposed by Jake Woodford, who will not have the opportunity to get flexethed upon by Nick Castellanos this time around seeing as the Reds RF officially hit the 10-day IL with his fractured wrist today. First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET once again.
• Tunes.