Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Game 90: Ludwick, Cueto Help Reds Fans Forget About Vottopocalypse

Reds Out-Hit 8-5, Win Game 4-0.

Diamondbacks   0   8   2
Reds                  4   5   1

By Ryan Bramwell
  • The Reds offense took advantage of the young and promising Trevor Bauer on Tuesday night.  Bauer was making his fourth start as a big leaguer and he was not sharp.  Although he struck out four batters and only gave up a single hit to the Reds, he did allow five bases on balls.  After three innings Bauer's night was finished after 73 pitches and a 4-0 deficit.
  • Ryan Ludwick had the big moment of the game in the 3rd inning.  After Bauer walked the two previous batters, Ludwick was nearly hit in the face by Bauer on his first pitch to the slugger.  Rather than backing off the plate, Ludwick kept his position in the box and his cool.  He tattooed the next pitch into the second deck in left-field for a 3-run blast estimated around 425 feet. 
  • Fun fact:  After the home run, the Reds had four runs on one hit.
  • All-in-all, our boys were patient enough to take six walks tonight.  I realize that this was mainly due to the lack of control from Bauer, but without Joey in the lineup this kind of plate discipline will always give us a shot at winning a game.
  • Ace Johnny Cueto was pretty good last night.  He threw six shutout innings while giving up only four hits.  I only say he was pretty good because he wasn't efficient and he wasn't locked in as usual.  He did walk four to his three strike outs and threw 106 pitches over the course of six frames.  But I am not going to be nitpicky here.  This is a good offensive D-back team he faced tonight.  Props to Johnny for notching his 11th win of the season.  His ERA has now dropped to 2.28 on the year.
  • Stubbs, Cozart, Phillips, and Ludwick all drew a walk.  Stubbs, Cozart, Ludwick (HR) and Hanigan (Double) all had hits.  Rolen drew two walks and had a hit as well. 
  • Scotty Baseball's average is above the Mendoza line at .203.  Also, he should have had two hits as he scorched a ball up the middle that ricocheted off the pitcher and right into the hands of an infielder for an easy double play that was extremely lucky for the D-backs.  Scotty made an error tonight.  Yet, he also made one heck of a charging, bare-handed pick-up and toss to first that many players half his age couldn't make.  Even at 37 years old, the Jasper, Indiana, native and MLB veteran never ceases to amaze me at the hot corner.
  • The Reds performed a double-steal using Zack and Drew!  Exciting to see us do stuff like that.  It was Stubbs' 18th stolen base and Cozart's 3rd.
  • Dusty used Mike Leake as pinch hitter!  Leake struck out but I like the guts and confidence Dusty showed in allowing Leake to hit.  Like I've proven to you before with verified and bonafied statistics, Leake should be a viable option off the bench to pinch hit.  The kid can flat out swing the bat.
  • The Reds bullpen continues to be stellar.  Arredondo, LeCure, Marshall and Chapman combined for a scoreless four innings.  Marshall left the game in the hands of Aroldis after getting two outs and then surrendering back-to-back hits.  So, even with a 4-run lead, the Cuban Missile would have a save opportunity and only one out to record in order to achieve said save.  It took four pitches for Chapman to notch save number 14 and strikeout number 80.  He's moderately talented if you haven't noticed yet.
So, the Reds remain atop the Central for another day and go back to their season high of 12 games over .500 at 51-39.  McCutchen homered for the 22nd time in helping the Pirates beat the Rockies and stay hot on our tail.  The Cardinals lost to the Brewers.  Yay!  Game 91 is tonight at 7:10pm ET.  It will be the third game of the four-game set against the D-bags. Woops, I'm sorry. Ahem, D-backs.

Final Note:  I listened to the game on WLW (and I'm so tired of Jim Kelch's voice) but I did catch the last inning on FS Ohio when I got home.  In the TV broadcast booth were Thom Brennaman and Chris Welsh.  Now, Chris wore this suit he had recently bought while in San Francisco and wore it once while on that west coast trip.  But he wore it again tonight.  And I must say he looked like the ever-colorful Craig Sager.  But the Reds are 2-0 when he wears this awful thing.  So, I think we might be seeing more of it.

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