Bad Clutchiness Spoils Great Pitching. Reds Lose in Extras, 2-1.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey took a no-hitter into the 6th, continuing the dominance he displayed in his no-hitter in his last outing vs. the Pirates in the Regular Season. Bailey finished with a 1 hitter in his 7 IP, the second consecutive Reds starter to toss 7 innings of 1 hit baseball this postseason. Considering Cueto's unfortunate mystery oblique/back issue, it's rather awesome to see Arroyo recapture his past stuff, Bailey reach the lofty potential he always had, and Latos show that he's capable of surprise spontaneous spot-starts. Though the rotation, the most consistent and accountable part of the Reds season, has been thrust into a bit of flux, it's nice to know that there are some gamers capable of elevating their performance. I expect to see Mat Latos called upon to do just that in Game 4.

Key Plays

• The Reds got off to a quick start in this one, as Brandon Phillips led off with a high-hopping grounder up the middle for a single. With Zack Cozart at the plate, Phillips took second on a wild pitch, and attempted to take third, only to be gunned out. Certain RR's will tell you this is the reason the Reds lost the game, lost the series, got Dusty Baker and Brook Jacoby fired, and caused Michael Bourn to choose the Nationals over the Reds this offseason. Anyhoo, Cozart walked, Ludwick singled, and Jay Bruce singled, scoring Cozart. Despite the rash of postgame reactions, this fact remains: The Reds left the first inning with a 1-0 lead, and their starting pitcher took a no-hitter into the 6th. Not all butterflies cause hurricanes in the Gulf when they flap their wings in Africa.
  
• The Giants small-balled their way to the equalizer in the third. Homer hit Gregor Blanco to start the inning and followed with a walk of Brandon Crawford. Ryan Vogelsong sac-bunted the runners over, and Dan Brown favorite Angel Pagan hit a sac fly that scored Blanco. Game tied, 1-1.
• Sean Marshall and Aroldis Chapman continued the pitching dominance through the 8th and 9th, and Jonathan Broxton was brought on in the 10th...and that went awry. Broxtapotamus allowed a leadoff single to Buster Posey, a follow-up single to Hunter Pence (despite his cramping calf limiting him to a trot). Broxy got the next two batters via strikeout, which was awesome, but a passed ball by Ryan Haingan (on what looked like a missed signal/call) allowed the runners to advance, and Posey scored when Joaquin Arias' grounder was error-like bumbled by Scott Rolen. Dang. Giants led, 2-1, and the Reds couldn't rally in the bottom of the 10th. Reds lose, 2-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes!

• Who shaved their playoff beard? I know one of you did, and it's your fault the Reds lost tonight.
  
• The Giants have only mustered 13 hits and 3 runs through the first 3 games of this NLDS, but have a win to show for it. The Reds have 26 hits and 16 runs in that time.
• Don't let the Reds lack of a win fool you tonight, folks. It was merely deception, as they attempt to provide more home games for you locals to attend. Somebody's gotta pay for Votto's knee surgeries and walks.
• Allsa y'alls keep preaching your love for the funk. I love it. I love being funkdafied.