Game 126: Well That Took Forever

Phils Outlast Reds in Extra Inning Affair

CIN  3  6  1  (76-50)
PHI  4  14  1 (58-67)
F/11

W: Raul Valdes (3-2)
L: Alfredo Simon (2-2)

Box Score

• Recap:
• I'm going to keep this one short and sweet, very much unlike that game.  Johnny Cueto was decent, but nowhere near his normal dominance.  He was throwing a ton of pitches each inning which inevitably led to his early departure.  His counterpart, Cole Hamels, was having the same issue but was able to pitch one more inning than Johnny.  Cueto's successors were unable to hold onto the 3-0 lead, while Cole's bullpen held the Reds in check quite handily. 
• No Reds player had more than one hit on the night and there was only one extra-base hit in all for the team (a double by Todd Frazier that scored two).  All this might sound frustrating, but I can tell you that it wasn't until the 8th inning going forward that I was livid with this ballclub.  Offensively, Cincy was awful in the final frames and the extras.  Even though the bullpen was providing chances for more at-bats, we just weren't producing.  And I don't think we were going to deliver another run even if we had three more innings to do so. 
• Then there was Miguel Cairo.  Oh, Miguel.   Cairo made two gaffes in a row on defense at first base.  The first one was much worse than the second.  But after a terrible play like the one he had down the first base line, it made it hard to forgive him for the tough play he couldn't complete during the next at-bat.   Miguel was a key player for the Reds during 2010 and 2011.  It was certainly a surprise to everyone.  Unfortunately, a year-long sub .200 batting average and awful defense has closed my mind to the idea of using Miggy in any situation or lineup for the remainder of his contract with this ballclub.  I realize that is harsh.  But sometimes we have to face facts, people.  He is hurting us more than helping us.
• The loss wasn't all Miggy's fault.  Like I said earlier, we weren't producing from the 7th inning on.  We were swinging at first pitches, striking out, and popping up.  Not getting on base.  Then there was the relief work.  Jose Arredondo was unable to hold Cueto's leftovers from scoring when he entered the game in the 6th.  Sam LeCure wasn't able to hold Sean Marshall's baserunner in the 8th.  J.J. Hoover survived a walk, a hit, and even the Cairo fiasco in the 9th by getting a double play. He then survived the 10th after giving up a single and a double.  Alfredo Simon was unable to duplicate the Hoover-style inning of getting out of early trouble as he gave up a single, a double, an intentional walk, and the winning single while only recording one out in the 11th.

**Forget About it!  The WLB's (Whiny Little B*tches, AKA the Cards) come to the Queen City tonight for a huge series!  It'll be Lance Lynn vs. Mat Latos.  Let's send 'em packing, boys!