Game 31: Reds @ Cubs (Game 2/3: T.Cingrani/J.Samardzija)

Dear, Carlos Marmol: "Thank You." - From the Cincinnati Reds and Their Fans

By Ryan Bramwell

CIN (17-14)   6  6  0
CHC (11-19)  4  3  1

W: Logan Ondrusek (2-0)
L: Carlos Marmol (2-2)
S: Aroldis Chapman (7)

Box Score

•  Tony Cingrani: 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO. 
• He didn't have his best stuff in this one, but he was still effective against nearly every Cub in Chicago's lineup
• Alfonso Soriano being the exception.  Soriano hit a 2-run homer in the first inning and another 2-run homer in the 3rd inning which accounted for all the Cubs' runs and Cingrani's only real mistakes in his six innings on the mound.
• Cingrani vs. Soriano = NOT GOOD
• Cingrani vs. All Cubs - Soriano = SPLENDIFEROUS
• Carlos Marmol: 0.0 IP (Pitched in 8th/No Outs Recorded), 3 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP.
• Yikes.
• With the Cubs leading 4-2 going into the top of the 8th, Reds fans were preparing themselves for a disturbing defeat against a very-not-good Cubs team.  Then, suddenly, there was hope.  Dave Sveum had sent Carlos Marmol to the mound to hold the lead for his Cubs. 
• Marmol proceeded to walk the first two batters he faced (Cozart and Votto).  And none of his pitches were even close to the strike zone. Brandon Phillips is up next and he goes hacking after the first pitch he sees as Marmol finally gets ones over the plate but the ball was fouled off.  Marmol was actually ahead of Brandon 1-2 in the count and then managed to hit Phillips with his next pitch.  Bases loaded.  Marmol booed and ousted.
• Rondon replaced Marmol and gave up a bloop single to Jay Bruce that scored Cozart and brought the Reds within one run with still nobody out.  Frazier then hit a sac-fly to tie the game.  XP (Xavier Paul) was walked intentionally.  Hannahan then drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run.  Finally, Mesoraco finished off the big inning with a sac-fly that put the Reds up 6-4 going into the bottom half of the 8th. 
• Choo: Homered (5) on the first pitch of the game. He also walked and scored twice.
• Votto: 2-for-4 with a double (4) and a walk.
• XP: Doubled (3), walked twice
• Cozart: 2 walks and a single.